Aripert II.

Aripert II († 712) from the House of Agilolfinger was 701-712 King of the Lombards.

Life

Aripert was the son of Raginpert. After King Cunincpert had died in the year 700, Raginpert usurped the throne against Cunincperts underage son and rightful heir to the throne, Liutpert and its regent Ansprand. Ansprand was defeated at the Battle of Novara, but died Raginpert still 701, so that his son Aripert inherited the throne.

In the battle of Ticinum (Pavia ) Aripert II defeated the army of King Liutperts under Ansprand, Ato, Tatzo, Rotharit and Farao, Liutpert captured and had him murdered as a potential rival throne in the year 703. Ansprand fled Aripert to Theudebert at the Bavarian court. Ansprands family was mutilated: his son Sigiprand were gouged out his eyes, his wife Theodora and his daughter Aurona nose and ears were cut off, only Ansprands little son Liutprand was allowed to his father into exile.

Rotharit, the dux ( duke ) of Bergamo, usurped the throne, but was caught and murdered after a short siege of Bergamo Aripert. Then revolted dux Corvolus of Friuli against Aripert, but was defeated and blinded.

Aripert maintained good relations with the Frankish Empire and the Catholic Church, to which he gave the goods of his heritage. Even with Byzantium he kept peace. The office of dux had become partly hereditary. In Friuli the Duce were appointed by the king, and also be issued, while in the remote Spoleto and Benevento sons successors without the king took effect.

After nine years of exile Ansprand returned 712 back with a Bavarian army of his relatives, the Bavarian dux Theudebert, over the Alps to gain the throne. In Pavia battle was fought with Ariperts army. This was apparently not yet decided because Aripert sat evening from his army to spend the night in the palace. The army felt betrayed and mutinied. Aripert fled Pavia, but drowned in Ticinus he wanted durschwimmen laden with treasure. Ariperts body was found the next morning and in Pavia near the church Domini Salvatoris ( Church of the Lord and Savior today: Monastero di San Salvatore ), which was built Aripert I., buried. Ansprand could succeed him unchallenged.

Swell

• Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum