Chlodio

Chlodio is the first name tangible rex or king of the Salian Franks. He lived in the second quarter of the 5th century.

Little is known about Chlodio, especially since the sources are not always reliable. Headquartered had Chlodio in Dispargum castrum, which was not located until today exactly (possibly Duisburg east of Brussels and the German Duisburg). After a statement of the historian Gregory of Tours he was related to Merowech, the father Childeric of Tournai; after Fredegar Chronicle Chlodio was the father Merovech, but this is doubtful.

Between 440 and 450 he suffered against the Western Roman troops led by General Flavius ​​Aetius and master the future emperor Majorian in the area of Arras, a defeat at vicus Helena; the Roman success is mentioned by the contemporary poets Sidonius Apollinaris in a eulogy. However, this setback changed nothing in the long term in the spread of the Frankish sphere of influence. The Franks were the Romans ( again ) recognized as federates. They occupied with Cambrai and Arras the country to the Somme. Gregory of Tours praise Chlodio as a leader who was very proficient and distinguished among his people. You may Chlodios has also been captured Tournai in time, where later Childeric had his seat of power.