e to the kingdom of the
Visigoths. Well aware of his valor and noble birth, he
believed that the kingdom would be the more readily
bestowed upon him by his kinsmen, inasmuch as he was
known to be the heir of many kings. And who would
hesitate to choose one of the Amali, if there were an empty
throne? But he was not himself eager to make known
who he was, and so upon the death of Valia the Visigoths
made Theodorid his successor. Beremud came to 175
him and, with the strength of mind for which he was
noted, concealed his noble birth by prudent silence, for he
knew that those of royal lineage are always distrusted by
kings. So he suffered himself to remain unknown, that
he might not bring the established order into confusion.
King Theodorid received him and his son with special
honor and made him partner in his counsels and a companion
at his board; not for his noble birth, which he
knew not, but for his brave spirit and strong mind, which
Beremud could not conceal.

[Sidenote: Consulship of Theodosius 439]

[Sidenote: FIRST BREACH BETWEEN THEODORID I AND THE ROMANS]

[Sidenote: The Truce 439]

XXXIV And what more? Valia (to repeat what we 176
have said) had but little success against the Gauls, but
when he died the more fortunate and prosperous Theodorid
succeeded to the throne. He was a man of the
greatest moderation and notable for vigor of mind and
body. In consulship of Theodosius and Festus the
Romans broke the truce and took up arms against him in
Gaul, with the Huns as their auxiliaries. For a band of
the Gallic Allies, led by Count Gaina, had aroused the
Romans by throwing Constantinople into a panic. Now
at that time the Patrician Aetius was in command of the
army. He was of the bravest Moesian stock, born of his
father Gaudentius in the city of Durostorum. He was a man
fitted to endure the toils of war, born expressly to
serve the Roman state; and by inflicting crushing defeats
he had compelled the proud Suavi and barbarous Franks
to submit to Roman sway. So then, with the Huns as 177
allies under their leader Litorius, the Roman army
moved in array against the Goths. When the battle
lines of both sides had been standing for a long time
opposite each other, both being brave and neither side the
weaker, they struck a truce and returned to their ancient
alliance. And after the treaty had been confirmed by
both and an honest peace was established, they both withdrew.

[Sidenote: Embassy to