Rothari

king of Lombards

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July 13, 2026

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Rothari was a Lombard king of Italy who reigned from 636 to 652. He is primarily known for issuing the Edict of Rothari in 643. This edict was a compilation of Lombard laws, written in the Lombard language, and represented a significant step in codifying the kingdom's legal system. It provided a written framework for justice and governance, moving away from purely oral traditions. While Rothari's reign was marked by military campaigns to expand Lombard territory, the Edict of Rothari remains his most enduring legacy, influencing later Lombard rulers like Liutprand, who emended it.1

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Italy
The Lombard kingdom, 584–774
…says little, for example, about Rothari (636–652) except that he was militarily successful (it was he who conquered Liguria) and, most importantly, that he was the first king to set out Lombard custom, in his Edict of 643, a substantial law code that survives independently. It is evident, however, that…
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…says little, for example, about Rothari (636–652) except that he was militarily successful (it was he who conquered Liguria) and, most importantly, that he was the first king to set out Lombard custom, in his Edict of 643, a substantial law code that survives independently. It is evident, however, that…
Read More