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chap, xxxviii] OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE 113 the Bhine to its conflux with the Main and the Moselle, the formidable swarms of the Alemanni commanded either side of the river, by the right of ancient possession or recent victory. They had spread themselves into Gaul, over the modern pro- vinces of Alsace and Lorraine ; and their bold invasion of the kingdom of Cologne summoned the Salic prince to the defence of his Ripuarian allies. Clovis encountered the invaders of Gaul in the plain of Tolbiac, about twenty-four miles from Cologne ; 26 and the two fiercest nations of Germany were mutually animated by the memory of past exploits and the prospect of future greatness. The Franks, after an obstinate struggle, gave way; and the Alemanni, raising a shout of victory, impetuously pressed their retreat. But the battle was restored by the valour, the conduct, and perhaps by the piety, of Clovis ; and the event of the bloody day decided for ever the alternative of empire or servitude. The last king of the Alemanni was slain in the field, and his people was slaughtered and pursued, till they threw down their arms and yielded to the mercy of the conqueror. Without discipline it was impossible for them to rally ; they had contemptuously demolished the walls and fortifications which might have protected their distress ; and they were followed into the heart of their forests by an enemy, not less active or intrepid than themselves. The great Theodoric congratulated the victory of Clovis, whose sister Albofleda the king of Italy had lately married ; but he mildly interceded with his brother in favour of the suppliants and fugitives who had implored his protection. The Gallic terri- tories, which were possessed by the Alemanni, became the prize of their conqueror ; and the haughty nation, invincible or town of Bruck [Brugg], have successively arisen. The philosophic traveller may compare the monuments of Roman conquest, of feudal or Austrian tyranny, of monkish superstition, and of industrious freedom. If he he truly a philosopher he will applaud the merit and happiness of his own times. 26 [Gregory does not mark the place of the battle ; and Tolbiacum (Zulpich) is a false inference from another passage (ii. 37), where Sigibert, king of the Ripuarian Franks, is said to have been wounded in the knee, fighting against the Alamanni apud Tulbiacense oppidum. That this was the battle in which Alamannia was overthrown is a pure assumption. The Vita Scti Vedasti (Acta Set. Feb. 6) points in another direction, to the Upper Rhine ; the battle being brought on by the attempt of Chlodwig to pass that river. After his victory he returns to Rheims, by Toul (Tullum) and the course of the Aisne (Axona). Another source represents him returning by Joine (Juviniacum). There is no evidence that Chlodwig had anything to do with the battle of Tolbiacum between the Alamanni and the Ripuarians.] vol rv. — 8