Ariamir

Ariamir , king of the Suevi in Galicia (now western Spain and northern Portugal ), ruled around 558/559 - 561/566 .

Ariamir
King Ariamir with Bishops Lucretius, Andrei and Martin of Braga . Thumbnail from the Vigilan Codex , 976 . Escorial Library
king of the Suevs 558/559 - 561/566
Predecessor	Hararich
Successor	Theodemir
Death
Religion	Christianity based on the Nicene Creed

Known only for the acts of the First Braga Cathedral , held May 1, 561 in Braga . It is known that the cathedral took place in the third year of the reign of Ariamir, from which it follows that he was to enter the throne no earlier than May 558 and no later than April 559 .

Neither Isidore of Seville , nor John of Biklar mention this king. But Isidore of Seville argues that the Suevi adopted Orthodox religion under King Teodemir . Based on this, some historians identify Ariamir and Theodemira. The same identification is supported by a reference to the phonetic proximity of the names Ariamir and Theodemir. However, this hypothesis is not supported by most scholars who distinguish between these two kings, believing that under Ariamir the First Council of Braga was held, at which a decision was made on the transition of the Sueva people from Arianism to Orthodox Christianity , and under Theodemir this appeal was completed.

The reasons for the Suevians to switch from Arianism to Orthodox Christianity on the basis of the Nicene Creed are not known. Is Gregory of Tours right connecting this treatment with the miraculous healing of the son of King Hararich , with whom Ariamir is often identified, is also not exactly established. But shortly before or near 560, something happened that made the Suev rulers reconsider their attitude to the orthodox Nicene church. For when Lucretius, Metropolitan of Braga, addressed the First Council of Braga on the calendars of May 561 , he clearly said that the synods of the Orthodox Nicene Church in Galicia were forbidden by kings, and only recently the ban was lifted.

The exact number of years of the reign of Ariamir was also not established, but John Biklarsky , who began writing his chronicle from 567 , implies that King Theodemir already ruled this year. Based on this, we can conclude that Ariamir died in the period from May 561 to 566 .