Rando (king)

Rando was an Alemannic petty king in the 4th century. In 368, Rando invaded the city Mogontiacum, near Mainz, where the Christian festival was being celebrated (probably Easter or Pentecost). Since Roman emperor Valentinian I was stationed at Trier with his troops, Rando was free to raid with impunity. After campaigning against the Brisgavi, who had been rendered leaderless after the murder of their king Vithicabius, Valentinian conducted a revenge campaign against Rando. Rando entrenched himself at a high-altitude fortress and continued his campaign against the Romans. In an ambush at the Battle of Solicinium, Rando almost succeeded in killing Valentinian. Valentinian was however eventually victorious.

Sources

• Dieter Geuenich: Geschichte der Alemannen (= Kohlhammer-Urban-Taschenbücher. 575). 2., überarbeitete Auflage. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-17-018227-7.