From the ashes of Rome - Battle of Tolbiac, 496 AD - Rise of the Frankish Empire

🚩 Today we have the Battle of Tolbiac, which took place in Gaul during/after the collapse of the last fragments of the Western Roman Empire. Despite being fought in AD 496 (or 506, depending on who you ask) it marked the beginning of what would one day become modern France.
🚩 Support HistoryMarche on Patreon and get ad-free early access to our videos for as little as $1: / historymarche
📢 Narrated by David McCallion
🎼 Music:
Epidemic Sound
Filmstro
📚 Sources and citations:
Visiting Battlefields: The Battle of Tolbiac - Denny Koch (2015)
Bernard S Bachrach - Merovingian Military Organization, 481-751 (1972)
John F. Drinkwater - The Alamanni and Rome 213-496: Caracalla to Clovis (2007)
Peter Heather - The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders (2013)
Simon MacDowell, Angus McBride - Germanic Warrior, 236-568 (1996)
Ian Wood - The Merovingian Kingdoms 450-751 (1994)
#rome #history #documentary

[@HistoryMarche]

🚩 Sources for this one are quite scarce, so it was a bit tricky piecing it together. I hope you'll enjoy the show! Today we have the Battle of Tolbiac, which took place in Gaul during/after the collapse of the last fragments of the Western Roman Empire. Despite being fought in AD 496 (or 506, depending on who you ask) it marked the beginning of what would one day become modern France.

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

You always make My day! Thanks For this 😊😊😊❤❤❤

[@raccoon5046]

😊😊

[@htetarkarphyo1334]

Thanks for the knowledge ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@SultanAhmetofOttomanEmpire]

Thank you for sharing your great knowledge with us

[@joeshmoe8345]

Disagree but both are great

[@christopherevans2445]

Late Antiquity and History Marche together is magic

[@johnpijano4786]

I won't call this late antiquity anymore. This is early medival history. But yeah, this is literally just when late antiquity ended so the differences is not a lot.

[@christopherevans2445]

@@johnpijano4786 late antiquity is between 250-700 ad. Look up any historian comment on subject

[@christopherevans2445]

​@@johnpijano4786 late antiquity is 250-700 ad. Look up and historians view of the area

[@christopherevans2445]

​@@johnpijano4786 late antiquity is defined as 250-700 AD. Look up almost all historians, as this is the defined time period.

[@kafon6368]

@@christopherevans2445 I do not care. The Middle Ages began after the fall of Rome. Rome fell in AD 476. It is that simple.

[@molybdaen11]

This sounds like a normal campaign in crusader kings. He even changed his religion to have a casus belli against other countries.

[@TheTyrgiss]

Ahahahah so true 🤣

[@gideonhock221]

It’s always a pleasure to wake up on Saturday and see a historymarche upload

[@stevo271]

In classical Latin, Clovis would have been pronounced "Clo-wees (like modern Cloe)". Drop the hard C and you get Louis (Lo-wees). (In later French the S becomes silent.) It even matches the spelling with the Romans using V for U.

[@jaber70599]

Clovis is only the latin spelling. - At that time the Franks language was Frankish. Frankish has nothing in common with latin. So the right pronounciation of the kings name in his own language is Chlodwig. - It is still hundreds of years to come until the (West) Frankish language evolves into French.

[@stevo271]

@@jaber70599 Interesting. When did they start speaking Latin? Was it before Charlemagne? That aspect of French history is mystery. How a Germanic tribe adopted Latin, similar to Visigoths I suppose.

[@HikerBikerMoter]

​@jaber70599 chlodwig-ludwig germanic blood both them

[@jaber70599]

@@stevo271 Yes. the Franks did the same as the Visigoths did. On the other hand are the saxons in England. They did not adopt the Latin language. - First: Franks served as soldiers and even generals in the Roman empire army for a long time. We must assume that at least higher ranks Franks have a good command of the latin language. - Second: After defeating roman power and establishing Frankish rule the Franks did not destroy the local roman administration and clerical organisation. Frankish rule was just a military coup. Not an invasion. Then in the western part of the Frankish territory the Franks slowly merged with the Romans.Their languages merged into the now French - We know for sure that shortly after Charlemagne the Franks in the western part of the country did not speak the same language any more as the Franks in the eastern part. They speak Old French and Old German and a they needed a translation.

[@berthamoen4488]

@@jaber70599Frankish evolved into Dutch. Not into French.

[@yansoloooo]

I'm french, and even if Clovis is (like you said) considered the first king of France, I never learned details like this. Many thanks.

[@67cudaksa34]

he was nit, he was king of the franks. the first real king of france was Charles the Bald

[@yansoloooo]

@@67cudaksa34 I know it's more complicated, but the simplified story we learned at school is Clovis first french king. And the catholics love that with the baptism and all...

[@lamelime1]

This is a very understudied time in history. Like, the most famous person of this period was Belisarius, and he himself lives in obscurity when compared to many others. I'm glad that you guys are doing videos on it!

[@zertyuz]

And it's probably one of the most important periods in human history

[@johnpijano4786]

It's so painful to see the Roman Empire from Theodosius the great to have it be mutilated.

[@westernculturethroughgodseyes]

I've been a huge fan for 4 years. Why have you guys decided to discontinue the Hannibal series? No episode 20. It's been 1 year + 3 months, and 67 other videos later, since episode 19. It seems to be your most beloved series. It starts out with ~3,000,000 views on episode 1. And still gets >400,000 views by episode 19. Your most recent videos have been getting ~200,000 views. Why have you guys decided to discontinue the Hannibal series?

[@rafetizer]

It's coming, just got a little lost in the Alps.

[@achetmollier578]

Exactly..

[@westernculturethroughgodseyes]

@@rafetizer 😂

[@westernculturethroughgodseyes]

@@achetmollier578 Thanks for the support guys! See Mago (HistoryMarche)?? Hannibal (2nd Punic War) Part 20!!

[@winterthrones3960]

It's crazy because this channel is amazing but in all comments about Hannibal you never see a response why!?...

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Historymarche! Your work, visuals and narration are second to none! You always knock it out lf the Park! Suggestion: Battle of St. Quentin of 1557, the battle that ended french ambitions in italy for good.

[@raphaelsoulard3371]

As a french lad i support this suggestion. Saint Quentin is indeed a good topic although i think the subject of french/italian relationship, wich has been very interesting over centuries, would maybe need a few videos before getting to the battle of St Quentin itself, at least some broad recap of how relations evolved and culminated to this important battle as people not informed on this specific subject may find themselves a bit lost without proper explanation :-) Great idea though, a series between 1450 to 1700+ or so about french and italian history could be a link to the later napoleonis wars, wich has already been developped in detail on the channel !

[@tikitong7285]

Always a good day when historymarche posts a video.

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Clovis I ! The father of france! Thanks For covering this! He's such an amazing figure 🫡🫡🫡🫡🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@rc8937]

Father to other countries as well, I believe.

[@rageraptor7127]

I thought you were gonna say he’s your father figure lmao 🤣

[@ommsterlitz1805]

@@rc8937 Sigebert would be the father of Germany then since Clovis couldn't care less about the Ripuarian Franks and didn't helped them

[@vloplob]

So you are saying France is actually Germanic?

[@rc8937]

@@ommsterlitz1805 How about Belgium?

[@Mz-ci8wg]

Funny was just reading about the ascension of Clovis and this battle was mentioned. As soon as i open youtube, here you are. Thanks!

[@Hillbilly001]

May this comment be a sacrifice to the Algorithm in honor of HistoryMarche.

[@nvelsen1975]

'Her uncle, who'd killed her father and her mother, thought it unwise to refuse marrying her off'. Dark age politics go brrrr. 😆

[@m.sairohan885]

Great work HistoryMarche

[@Fredelatorsion]

Very interesting and well-made. Nevertheless, Clovis would be very surprised, knowing that he had founded France winning at Tolbiac. That were only germanic realms which fight one another. France was born like an outcome of the battle of Bouvines (1214) and Philippe II was probably the first having as project to reconquest and gather the territories inherited by Charles II in 843, to form a realm.

[@thibaultsardet7399]

We will say that this is a starting point in the very long process of several centuries, because even if what you say is true, the Franks never stopped ruling in Gaul (hence the name "France" after), there were simply several dynasties, and different evolutions and developments since then.

[@rc8937]

Many countries trace their origins to the Franks. France was just West Francia. Germany was East Francia.

[@thibaultsardet7399]

@@rc8937 Of course, but the Ottonian dynasty was before all Saxons too. From the Merovingians, the Carolingians, the Capetians, etc... All Kings and Nobles of France were directly Frankish of origins. There were a continuity, whatever the Dynasty throughout times.

[@Nicholas-ch5ln]

The Merovingians were so brutal clovis was one of the nicest one

[@JayzsMr]

Wasn’t there a story where he axed one of his men on a whim?

[@Nicholas-ch5ln]

@@JayzsMryes but he was one of the nicer Merovingians his son clothair killed both of his nephews and burned alive his son whole family after he rebelled.

[@oliviervece6121]

Yes.​@@JayzsMr

[@casper191985]

@@Nicholas-ch5lnnope

[@ajirah8856]

Another excellent video, thank you HistoryMarche, top notch channel

[@dominiquecharriere1285]

In France we were told of the miracle of Tolbiac, it seems a desperate Clovis calls for the christian god's help and a few minutes later the king of the Alemani dies and the battle turns side. Of course this was probably spread by Clovis after the battle, Clovis needed his christian subjects (the majority in his new empire) but could not be baptized without fearing that his frankish realm would rebel, so he needed a "miracle" to convince them. Sneaky politician! Great video once again!

[@user-fl5mq9kp7g]

But he is a Nestorian Christian 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@mgramsdale]

And not all influenced by later Christian writings...

[@redclayscholar620]

Clovis in reality: "God damn this is a tough fight! I pray I can win!" 😂

[@WarriorofChrist612]

Source? A battle can go really anyway so obviously he'd turn to the almighty Jesus Christ. Not sure where you're getting all of this from like it was written down or something. Christians prayed before battle so that they may win (Obviously).

[@CelxD]

Another amazing video!

[@KHK001]

Amazing work as always HM!

[@htetarkarphyo1334]

It is impressive that you can upload video like every week❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@bigsarge2085]

Always interesting, thanks, HM!

[@TravisBrady-wn8fr]

Love your shows. Look forward to the next!

[@eqbal321a]

excellent as always

[@RJ_F1]

Amazing work as always. 🥂

[@brunolima7402]

Always a pleasure to watch your videos. Keep up the excellent work.

[@arnas6931]

Finish up Hannibal series please🙏, I love this channel and it's unique content💙

[@ShadowOfAnEpicSaxmanExclusive]

It's always a great day when HistoryMarche posts a video!

[@coyote4237]

Thank you. Always well done and worth watching.

[@internetperson8224]

I love your content! I can’t wait for Hannibal part 20! Take your time but please do not forget!

[@ProfessorM-he9rl]

Thank you for this post, very educational.

[@Sanj1n]

History marche never disappoints with the quality of his videos.

[@sevoo1579]

Im so glad you finally covered Merovingians ❤

[@yoio_yo6938]

Always worth the waiting

[@mikes7566]

Great video! Love it very much! Thank you

[@Buddlertom]

awesome video, learnt a lot!

[@ArnaudLance]

Great video on a forgotten battle ! Vive la France!

[@chanceglantz2740]

Man, I love these vids!

[@Uzair_Of_Babylon465]

Great video keep it up you're doing amazing things 😁👍

[@robertmanjani1894]

Enjoyed ur historical vid.. I'll be waiting for more 😊

[@silentone11111111]

Great vid and great channel .

[@kurt8870]

Good video as always.

[@thomascatty379]

Fantastic video, that ending was beautiful

[@MarcusAgrippa390]

Viva la HistoryMarche!

[@YeeeeGreg]

Wow this was a particularly epic video from this channel! You guys always do a fantastic job, but I feel like this video had especially excellent writing

[@chrisperry4143]

great video!

[@patrickkelly8095]

Another great historical video.

[@vitorpereira9515]

Clovis should be called Clovis the Great because his legacy is still alive.

[@kentanyamartin8313]

Fr I like his name

[@rolandlabelle188]

You the man great stuff 😊

[@JonniePolyester]

That was brilliant 😊👍

[@htetarkarphyo1334]

OK I gonna have to download this audio for my playlist of historymarche 🎉🎉❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉

[@robbabcock_]

Such an epic and pivotal point in European history! Thanks for another fine video.

[@SebastianMartinez-ru8ln]

i love this channel ! =)

[@charlesandrews2360]

Good show!

[@pomicultorul]

Thank you!

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

Thanks an amazing ( history Marche) channel for sharing this magnificent historical coverage episode about Franklin and a great Clovis emperor fingerprint in the 4th and 5th century AD of France 🇫🇷.

[@TheHoggcast]

awesome video, make a series on this please!!

[@Steven-dt5nu]

I learned something new. Thanks

[@brokenbridge6316]

Great video

[@joelpajar8158]

Love it!

[@GoguMacaroana]

All hail the algorithm! Great video as always!

[@Frank-ru5im]

Great video! Please make more videos like the Prince of destruction! 🎉

[@AliSyed711]

I have to say that this was made quite well. I’m not that familiar with this period of history in Western Europe, but before the battle sequence, I had become very invested in the Alemanni and Clovis. Fascinating that this is such an important battle and it seems to have evaded me thus far. Excellent video 👍

[@the_farrow9549]

great vid

[@gruffythrone988]

I absolutely love this video you don’t get many video during this time

[@mihajlo7893]

mr history marche you are a great storyteller.. And thank you for the great video..💪

[@Markjr778]

Best history documentaries on all of KZbin

[@janlindtner305]

Outstanding👍👍👍

[@frogwaffle7]

my evening is complete....thank you HM

[@haydenkohn5801]

This was great, I'd love more content during these immediate post western Roman collapse time period.

[@robbysnipes9568]

It’s rare for me to see a video on a battle I’ve never heard of on YT; thank you K&G !

[@collintrytsman3353]

excellent

[@ryanduncan721]

Please do more of Clovis I would love learn more!!

[@mhamissa]

Great video. Now, I have a firm knowledge about Clovis ❤

[@ulrich3486]

Im a simple man, I see a new HistoryMarch Video and I Like.

[@luigisaguier8336]

Detailed histories of the Visigoths and Lombards would be great too!

[@thekedrking9909]

New video time, nice.

[@flytoast9260]

very good

[@reficulwer]

Интересное видео, спасибо

[@yt-lemro3237]

Thanks

[@JPOGers]

20:02 Isaiah 58:9 - Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

[@tpoutrel]

Thanks!

[@HistoryMarche]

Thank you for the support. Much appreciated!

[@qaiserali6773]

@@HistoryMarche bro please cover the below list of battles 1) Conquest of Constantinople - 1453 2) Battle of Nahavand - 642 3) Battle of Qadissiyah -636 4) Battle of Varna - 1444 5) Battle of Manzikert - 1071 6) Battle of Sufetula - 647 7) Battle of Nikiou - 646

[@AxelPoliti]

Beautiful story that fully explains the reason to have a Tolbiac Paris metro station

[@chasechristophermurraydola9314]

Hopefully you do the Battle of Vouillé some day.

[@SultanAhmetofOttomanEmpire]

Hello HistoryMarche! I'm a big fan of your content, your narration and your mapping is just great!! Hope more content on Mughal Empire and Ottoman Empire! Can I become your vassal state😅😅😅

[@nazmazafar1284]

Agree

[@Miamcoline]

Awesome. In France, despite being atheist, the catholicism is so mixed into the historiography of early and medieval French monarchical history that they dont teach you proper context to understand the relevance of these episodes of history. This was extremely helpful, thank you.

[@user-fl5mq9kp7g]

You mean Nestorianism?

[@Miamcoline]

@@user-fl5mq9kp7g no i mean Catholicism. The historiography about these early eras of French history is written by medieval Catholic monks, as well as pious/nationalist historians between the 1830s and 1970s who's idea of makes a good king is a pious king rather than one who did right by his people.

[@user-fl5mq9kp7g]

@@Miamcoline These same foolish Catholics sanctify the Nestorian Christian monks established by Constantine

[@vectordirect7876]

Hello people! hello, last week you didn't post a video, I was looking forward to seeing it,,,,,

[@ramiromen6595]

The battle of Soissons is incredibly underrated, the Romans having a lasting enclave in modern day France is cool ofc but the fact that if defeated the Franks would have returned to their Rennish petty kingdoms and the whole of Gaul ends up becoming Balkanized makes for incredible alternate history.

[@theawesomeman9821]

One could argue that the Frankish Kingdom was the true successor of the Roman Empire. The kingdom spoke and preserved Latin. Continued many Roman cultural and legal customs. And acknowledged the authority of the pope.

[@eljanrimsa5843]

One could also argue that the Roman Emperor was the true successor of the Roman Empire.

[@MrKuznarsky]

Awesome video! I wanted to name my youngest son Clovis, but my wife objected strongly. I showed her every second of this video. Pretty sure if it was around seven years ago, I would have won that battle.

[@colink563]

Hi HistoryMarche I believe there was an error with the last portion of your #3 footnote. Loved the video!

[@hardhittinghartmann6635]

Great

[@DSS-jj2cw]

Interesting information about the Alemanni..My family came from southern Germany. My sympathies lay with them and sorry they got their ass kicked as usual.

[@skun406]

"Germany" is "Allemagne" in French, so they've been immortalized

[@DSS-jj2cw]

@@skun406 yes, I know. That is nice.

[@Clodomir17]

Nice video. I hope there will be some more about this era. There is a couple mistakes in the footnotes (name of Clovis’ daughter in #2 and « Timur the Lame » in #3).

[@sevoo1579]

I love late antiquity, scarce sources but very interesting the historian Bruno Dumézil is a monster in this very hard field

[@Necrotog82]

Its impressive to overcome being named Clovis and achieve so much.

[@Codoloco1]

I play Aoe, Manorlords and like medieval pc games... it is so awesome to be able to play, watch and listen to this. It makes everything so immersive.

[@goodbanter4427]

God be praised indeed