The real Alatheus and Saphrax
Alatheus
Alatheus (fl.Ā 376ā387) was a chieftain of theĀ Greuthungi. He fought during theĀ HunnishĀ invasion of 376, engaged in war withĀ RomeĀ from 376 to 383, and incursions into the Balkans inĀ He is most famous for his participation at theĀ Battle of AdrianopleĀ in 378.
After the death of theĀ GothicĀ King Vithimiris while fighting against the Huns in 376, Alatheus became, with Saphrax, co-regentĀ and guardian of Vithericus, infant son of Vithimiris. He helped in the leadership of the great Gothic migration before the Hun onslaught, he crossed theĀ DanubeĀ while Rome was busy withĀ ThervingiĀ refugees in that year. He soon allied himself with the Thervingi leadersĀ FritigernĀ andĀ AlavivusĀ against Rome.
Alatheus eluded the Romans and rampaged throughĀ ThraceĀ andĀ MoesiaĀ in 377ā378. He marched to Fritigern's aid against EmperorĀ ValensĀ at theĀ battle of AdrianopleĀ in 378, in which Valens was killed when Alatheus' forces were victorious. He continued to raid Thrace and northernĀ Greece, but was defeated byĀ Theodosius the Great's generalĀ Promotus, and he settled on the north side of the Danube. He appeared on its banks again in 386, with the intention of invading the Roman provinces again. His forces were, however, repulsed, and Alatheus was slain.
Saphrax
SaphraxĀ (diedĀ c.Ā 400) was a Greuthungi chieftain, who led the tribe along with Alatheus. Both names appear to have beenĀ Alanic; they may have been Sarmatian/Alan.Ā After the death of the King Vithimiris while fighting against theĀ HunsĀ in 376, Alatheus and Saphrax became regents and guardians of Vithericus, infant son of Vithimiris. He and Alatheus commanded the Greuthungi, whileĀ FritigernĀ commanded theĀ Thervingi, numbering an army of 10,000 (according to contemporaryĀ Ammianus Marcellinus) in theĀ Battle of AdrianopleĀ in 378 against theĀ Roman Empire. It is theorized that Saphrax led a Hun-Alan contingent. Ending in defeat for Rome, many of their followers rampaged through the Eastern Empire until they were settled years after byĀ TheodosiusĀ treaties inĀ Pannonia Prima. Remnants were recruited into the Roman army.
