Figures
1 Redrawing of the reconstructed signet ring of Childeric 4
2 Profile of Odoacer with moustache on silver coin minted in Ravenna in 477. British Museum, reg. nr. 1882,0405.1 20
3 Gold tremissis with portrait of Theudebert I, minted c.540/8 in Bonn, Germany. Weight, 4.41 g, diameter: 21 mm. Avers: Bust facing, spear on the right shoulder. Inscription: âD N THEODEBERTVS VICTORâ. Reverse: Victory standing facing, holding a long cross and a cruciger globe. Inscription: âVICTORIA AVCCCCI BO COM OBâ. With the kind permission of Patrick Guillard 50
4 Byzantine Spangenhelm from a lavish burial in Planig, with silver plates and gilded bronze bands and Christian symbols. Location: Landesmuseum Mainz, Inv. Nr. 39/9. With the kind permission of the Landesmuseum Mainz 79
5 Simplified family tree of the Merovingian dynasty from Childeric I to Dagobert I 87
6 Small silver plate with the seals of Constans II. Picture by Dr. Hugo Oelze. Source: Dodd, âByzantine silver stampsâ (1964), table 78.1. Attempts to find a heir of the image right holder were unsuccessful. 142
7 Attested and potential diplomatic exchanges 145
8 Frankish cloisonné strap mount from the first half of the sixth century. Copper alloy, gilt (frame), gold central medallion with gold. Dimensions: 6.2 à 6.2 à 1 cm. Gift of Alastair Bradley Martin, 1951. The Met Collection, Object Number: 51.125.5 159
9 Paris, Bibliothèque nationale, lat. 10910, fol. 23v 172
10 The casula of Queen Balthilde. With the kind permission of the Musée A. Bonno de Chelles 176
Map
1 The Frankish world 15