Chrocus

The name Chrocus (also Crocus and Crocus ) was borne by two Alemannic princes in the 3rd and 4th centuries.

An Alamanne named Crocus is mentioned in 306 and is said to have played a not insignificant role in the elevation of Constantine to emperor in York , Britain . In the Epitome de Caesaribus from around 400 it is reported:

After his death [of Constantius ] he [ Constantine ] took over the rule at the instigation of all those present, but especially of Crocus, a king of the Alamanni, who had accompanied Constantius to help him.

Crocus may have previously held the royal dignity, but gave it up in favor of a Roman troop command. At least he seems to have had considerable military resources. Possibly, with reference to the participation of a “barbarian” in the rising of Constantine as emperor, this should also be criticized, albeit indirectly.

Another leader of the Alemanni named Chrocus is mentioned by the bishop and historian Gregory of Tours . Under this chrocus the Alemanni, who overcame the Limes around 259 , are said to have advanced as far as Clermont , where they plundered the temple of Vasso Galate . At Arles this chrocus was then arrested and executed. Gregor wrote this part of his work around 575, long after the events described. Since he relied on partly good sources (see also Sulpicius Alexander and Renatus Profuturus Frigeridus ), there is usually no doubt about the existence of this Alemannic prince.

The mention of another Crocus in the Fredegar Chronicle (2.60) is to be regarded as ahistorical .

literature

Helmut Castritius , Hermann Reichert : Crocus. In: Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde (RGA). 2nd Edition. Volume 17, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin / New York 2000, ISBN 3-11-016907-X , pp. 387-389.
John F. Drinkwater: The Alamanni and Rome. 213-496 (Caracalla to Clovis). Oxford University Press, Oxford et al. 2007, ISBN 978-0-19-929568-5 .
John F. Drinkwater: Crocus, 'King of the Alamanni'. In: Britannia . Vol. 40, 2009, pp. 185-195, JSTOR 27793239 .
Dieter Geuenich : History of the Alemanni (= Kohlhammer Urban pocket books. 575). 2nd, revised edition. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-17-018227-7 .

Remarks

↑ Epitome de Caesaribus , 41,3 : Quo mortuo cunctis, qui aderant, annitentibus, sed praecipue Croco, Alamannorum rege, auxilii gratia Constantium comitato imperium capit.

↑ See John F. Drinkwater: Crocus, 'King of the Alamanni'. In: Britannia. Vol. 40, 2009, pp. 185-195, here p. 194.

↑ See John F. Drinkwater: The Alamanni and Rome. Oxford et al. 2007, p. 146.

^ Gregory of Tours, Historiae I 32 and I 34.

↑ See Helmut Castritius: Krokus, § 3 (historical). In: Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde (RGA). 2nd Edition. Volume 17, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin / New York 2000, ISBN 3-11-016907-X , p. 388. But see John F. Drinkwater: The Alamanni and Rome. 2007, p. 146.

↑ See Helmut Castritius: Krokus, § 3 (historical). In: Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde (RGA). 2nd Edition. Volume 17, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin / New York 2000, ISBN 3-11-016907-X , pp. 388-389.

personal data
SURNAME	Chrocus
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Crocus; crocus
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Alemannic prince
DATE OF BIRTH	3rd century
DATE OF DEATH	4th century

[1] Epitome de Caesaribus , 41,3 : Quo mortuo cunctis, qui aderant, annitentibus, sed praecipue Croco, Alamannorum rege, auxilii gratia Constantium comitato imperium capit.

[2] See John F. Drinkwater: Crocus, 'King of the Alamanni'. In: Britannia. Vol. 40, 2009, pp. 185-195, here p. 194.

[3] See John F. Drinkwater: The Alamanni and Rome. Oxford et al. 2007, p. 146.

[4] Gregory of Tours, Historiae I 32 and I 34.

[5] See Helmut Castritius: Krokus, § 3 (historical). In: Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde (RGA). 2nd Edition. Volume 17, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin / New York 2000, ISBN 3-11-016907-X , p. 388. But see John F. Drinkwater: The Alamanni and Rome. 2007, p. 146.

[6] See Helmut Castritius: Krokus, § 3 (historical). In: Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde (RGA). 2nd Edition. Volume 17, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin / New York 2000, ISBN 3-11-016907-X , pp. 388-389.