Political Byzantinism in the Legal History of Franks

Abstract

The article is concerned with the formation of the Frankish political organization in the context of adopting the Romanic and Byzantine identity. It has been suggested that the main factors of the Romanization of the ancient Franks be considered not only the commonly used trading and economic system along the defensive structures limes, but also the practice of providing lex foedus by the western Roman emperors. Federalization principles of relations between the autochthonous Romans and barbarians contributed to the formation of separate political structures (“chiefdoms” or “early medieval barbarian kingdoms”) of the Ostrogoths, the Burgundians, the Vandals, the Alans, the Visigoths. The ancient Franks were less affected by the principles of federalism, but they adopted the structures of the Visigoths and the Burgundians. Maneuvering between two parties, Emperors Zeno (476–491) and Anastasius (491–518) achieved recognition of their suzerainty over the majority of the barbarian kingdoms in the Great Mediterranean region. However, this recognition was too ephemeral and, in the end, did not lead to the revival of fully valid East Roman (Pars Oriens) power in all western provinces (Pars Occidens). The article describes the genesis of the Frankish political eminency, suggests a fresh approach to the problem of the legal status of Domain of Soissons (Gall-Roman Domain), analyzes the geopolitical competition of the Frank Clovis (481–511) and the Ostrogoth Theodoric the Amal (489–526). All these problems, well-known among the medievalists, are presented in the original political science and legal interpretation.