Chrocus
Encyclopedia
Chrocus or Crocus, also Croc, Krokus, Crochus or Croscus (fl.
260–306) was a leader of the Alamanni
in the late 3rd century. In 260, he led an uprising of the Alamanni against the Roman Empire
, traversing the Upper Germanic Limes and advancing as far as Clermont
, and possibly as far as Ravenna
, and he was possibly present at the Alamannic conquest of the Frankish town of Mende
.
According to Gregory of Tours
' History of the Franks, Chrocus was a famous king of his time and was responsible for a great deal of destruction throughout Gaul, most notably of all ancient temples located in Gaul, though this may have been exaggerated. One of the temples he allegedly tore down was called the Vasso Galatæ, a marvelous structure that once stood in Clermont. Many legends lived on about Crocus. Some have him dead in 260, others talk of him as still being alive in 403.
Crocus/Chrocus, in many records described as king of the Alamanni or Vandals, aided with his troops, among them the Alamanni Latinus, Agilo and Scudilo, in Constantine I's proclamation as emperor. In 306, he was present as a general in Roman service at the death of Constantius Chlorus
in York
, Britannia
, and called for his son Constantinus to be declared the new Roman Emperor
.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
260–306) was a leader of the Alamanni
Alamanni
The Alamanni, Allemanni, or Alemanni were originally an alliance of Germanic tribes located around the upper Rhine river . One of the earliest references to them is the cognomen Alamannicus assumed by Roman Emperor Caracalla, who ruled the Roman Empire from 211 to 217 and claimed thereby to be...
in the late 3rd century. In 260, he led an uprising of the Alamanni against the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
, traversing the Upper Germanic Limes and advancing as far as Clermont
Clermont
-In Canada:*Clermont, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec*Clermont, Capitale-Nationale, Quebec-In France:* Clermont, Ariège, in the Ariège département* Clermont, Haute-Savoie, in the Haute-Savoie département* Clermont, Landes, in the Landes département...
, and possibly as far as Ravenna
Ravenna
Ravenna is the capital city of the Province of Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and the second largest comune in Italy by land area, although, at , it is little more than half the size of the largest comune, Rome...
, and he was possibly present at the Alamannic conquest of the Frankish town of Mende
Mende, Lozère
Mende is a commune of France in the Lozère department of which it is the capital.It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mende.-Sights:* Mende Cathedral -External links:* * ,...
.
According to Gregory of Tours
Gregory of Tours
Saint Gregory of Tours was a Gallo-Roman historian and Bishop of Tours, which made him a leading prelate of Gaul. He was born Georgius Florentius, later adding the name Gregorius in honour of his maternal great-grandfather...
' History of the Franks, Chrocus was a famous king of his time and was responsible for a great deal of destruction throughout Gaul, most notably of all ancient temples located in Gaul, though this may have been exaggerated. One of the temples he allegedly tore down was called the Vasso Galatæ, a marvelous structure that once stood in Clermont. Many legends lived on about Crocus. Some have him dead in 260, others talk of him as still being alive in 403.
Crocus/Chrocus, in many records described as king of the Alamanni or Vandals, aided with his troops, among them the Alamanni Latinus, Agilo and Scudilo, in Constantine I's proclamation as emperor. In 306, he was present as a general in Roman service at the death of Constantius Chlorus
Constantius Chlorus
Constantius I , commonly known as Constantius Chlorus, was Roman Emperor from 293 to 306. He was the father of Constantine the Great and founder of the Constantinian dynasty. As Caesar he defeated the usurper Allectus in Britain and campaigned extensively along the Rhine frontier, defeating the...
in York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
, Britannia
Britannia
Britannia is an ancient term for Great Britain, and also a female personification of the island. The name is Latin, and derives from the Greek form Prettanike or Brettaniai, which originally designated a collection of islands with individual names, including Albion or Great Britain. However, by the...
, and called for his son Constantinus to be declared the new Roman Emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
.
Literature
- Dieter Geuenich, Geschichte der Alemannen, Kohlhammer Stuttgart 2004, ISBN 3-17-018227-7 / ISBN 3-17-012095-6