The story of this war is briefly described by Gregory of Tours in his Historia Francorum. The book was a history of the Franks written in the second half of the 6th century, more than 75 years after the events took place. In his report, the Burgundians as a neighboring people of the Franks are mentioned negatively. Thanks to this report, the course of the civil war can be reconstructed in broad outlines. However, Gregory's account has the disadvantage that it contradicts other contemporary sources in some parts. The chronicle of Marius of Avenches provides important additional information and dates the civil war to the year 500. In addition to the accounts of Gregory of Tours and Marius of Avenches, the letters of Avitus of Vienne are also of importance to recount this civil war.
Background
The cause for this war must be sought in the succession problems after the death of Gundioc who, together with his brother Chilperic I had a power base in Gallia Lugdunensis I. Chilperic, rather than Gundioc's sons continued the kingship over the Burgundian people.[1] Gundioc's sons played a prominent role in the late Roman army. Of them, Gundobad in Italy reached the position of magister militum praesentalis, commander-in-chief of the army.[2] Unfortunately, Gregory of Tours' story about the beginning of the events is unreliable. He puts Gundobad in an evil light and blames him for the death of his brothers Gundomar and Chilperic II.[3] This could be to respect Clovis. Recent research believes that Gundomar and Chilperic II had already been dead when Chilperic I died in 480 and Godegisel and Gundobad shared the rule.[1] Political unrest and dissatisfaction with the territorial division may have been a powerful driver for rivalry between the remaining brothers and this eventually led to the conflict.
Conflict
Frankish intervention
Gundobad ruled most of the Burgundian territory with residences in Lyon and Vienne, while his brother Godegisel controlled a smaller area with his capital in Geneva. According to Gregory of Tours, Godegisel was dissatisfied with this, and secretly asked the Frankish king Clovis for support against his more powerful brother. In return, Clovis promised him estimates and transfer of territories in case of success. Together they plotted a plan to bring down Gundobad. In this plan, Godegisel remained friends with his brother so as not to arouse suspicion. In 500 CE, Clovis and his army attacked Gundobad on his territory, after which Gundobad turned to his brother for help. Then the two brothers' armies marched together against the invaders. However, when the three armies met near Dijon, the troops of Godegisel joined the army of the opponent and his brother had to defend himself alone.
Battle of Dijon
In the ensuing battle, the united armies of Clovis and Godegisel defeated Gundobad, who fled to Avignon in the far south of his empire. According to the chronicler Marius of Avenches, this battle took place at Dijon in the year 500.[4] After the battle, Godegisel was satisfied with his success and considered himself the only king of the kingdom. He then went triumphantly to Vienne.[5]
Siege of Avignon
Despite the fact that Gundobad had fled to Avignon, the war had not yet been settled. Clovis marched alone to Avignon to capture Gundobad. The siege of Avignon lasted a long time. The siege ended when Aridius, a general and a Roman magistrate, managed to convince Clovis that the city could not be taken. Then Clovis reconciled with Gundobad, who agreed to pay annual tribute to Clovis. [6]
Gundobad's counterattack
Gundobad searched for a way to get rid of the unfavorable peace with Clovis and found it with the Aquitanian Goths who had been in war with the Franks three years earlier. Gundobad made an alliance with the Gothic rexAlaric II in 501. Assured of his support, he stopped paying the annual tribute and attacked his brother by besieging him in the city of Vienne. After the city capitulated, Gundobad executed Godegisel and many of his Burgundian followers, and thus re-established himself as the king of the Burgundians.[7]
Aftermath
After the war, Gundobad donated Avignon to the Goths and sent him the Frankish prisoners of war. Alaric then visited Clovis near the village Amboise, where Alaric agreed to release the prisoners, while Clovis returned all the Gothic territory he still had in his hands.[8] Gundobad may also be involved in this peace, which lasted only a few years until the Franco-Gothic War. In the Franco-Gothic War which broke out in 507, Gundobad was an ally of Clovis.
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