As the Roman Empire was collapsing in the West, the power vacuum drew countless tribes into the fractured landscape of Italy. Among them were the Lombards, also known as Langobards, a Germanic tribe whose name derives from their long beards. Often overshadowed by the more famous Visigoths or Franks, the Langobards established a kingdom in Italy that would last for over two centuries, outliving many of their barbarian peers. Arriving in 568 CE under their ambitious king Alboin, the Langobards swept through a weakened peninsula still recovering from war and plague. But they were more than mere conquerors. Over time, these so-called barbarians embraced Latin culture, adopted Roman law, and evolved from tribal warbands into sophisticated rulers.Who Were the Lombards?Theodelinda Cycle (Scene No. 1), fresco, by Franceschino, Gregorio & Giovanni Zavattari, 1430-47, Tomb Chapel of Queen Theodelinda, Cathedral, Monza. Source: Web Gallery of ArtThe roots of the Langobards reach deep into the shadows of pre-Roman Europe. According to their own origin legend, recorded in the Origo Gentis Langobardorum in the 7th century, the Langobards came from an island called Scadanan, most commonly identified with Scandinavia, from where they gradually migrated southward over a long period of time.By the first century CE, Roman historians such as Tacitus were already familiar with the Langobards fierce independence and warlike nature. At that time, they inhabited regions around the lower Elbe River, in what is now northern Germany. The Langobards were not yet a unified kingdom but rather a loose confederation of warrior clans who shared a common language, religion, and customs. Like many Germanic tribes, they worshiped a pantheon of gods similar to those found in Norse mythology and practiced tribal law based on customary traditions.By the 5th century CE, the Langobards had migrated further south into Pannonia (in present-day western Hungary and eastern Austria), where they interacted with the crumbling Roman world and neighboring tribes such as the Heruli, Gepids, and Ostrogoths. In Pannonia, they began adopting more centralized political structures under charismatic leaders, or duces, eventually unifying under a monarchy. Among the most prominent was King Alboin, who led the Langobards into Italy and forever changed their history.How the Lombards Took Over ItalyMap of the phases of the Lombard conquest of Italy, from migration to Italy in 568-69 CE until the Fall of Ravenna in 751 CE. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe Lombard conquest of Italy in 568 was not a sudden act of aggression, but the culmination of decades of migration, alliance-building, and strategic opportunism. By the mid-sixth century, Lombard warriors had already established themselves as a powerful force in Pannonia. They had even fought both against and alongside the Byzantines in their wars against the Ostrogoths. At the same time, the Western Roman Empire was falling deeper into disarray, a situation that the Lombard king Alboin skillfully exploited.In 568, Alboin led a coalition of Lombards, Saxons, Gepids, Bulgars, and other tribes across the Julian Alps into Italy. This was not a full-scale military invasion, but rather a massive migratory wave led by warrior-aristocrats, followed by their families and dependents. The strategy proved successful, as the exhausted Byzantine Empire could offer little support to the western part of the former empire.The Lombards quickly captured cities across northern Italy, including Milan and Verona. After a three-year siege, they also took Pavia, which became their capital. Alboin then declared himself rex Langobardorum, King of the Lombards. But Alboins reign in Italy was short-lived, as he was assassinated that same year. This may have been at the instigation of his wife, Rosamund, a Gepid princess whose father Alboin had killed and whose skull he had turned into a drinking cup. His death sparked political instability, but the Lombards continued their expansion.The Lombard Duchies and Political FragmentationAssassination of Alboin, King of the Lombards, by Charles Landseer, 1856. Source: Leicester GalleriesAfter the assassination of King Alboin, the Lombard kingdom found itself in a major crisis. Without a centralized authority, the Lombards entered a period of political fragmentation that would characterize much of their rule in Italy. This period is commonly known as the Rule of the Dukes (Interregnum Ducorum).King Alboin had no direct heir. Instead, 30 military commanders known as dukes took control of various cities and territories. Each of them ruled independently over their own duchy with the support of local armies and elites. Loyalty often shifted depending on regional interests. During this time, we can no longer speak of a large, unified Lombard kingdom. Some of the most significant duchies included the Duchy of Spoleto in central Italy, ruled by Faroald I; the Duchy of Benevento in the south, ruled by Zotto; and the duchies of Friuli, Trento, Brescia, and Bergamo in the north.This fragmented system had both advantages and disadvantages. Dukes ruled according to local customs and could respond more swiftly to threats, but cooperation between duchies was often hindered by rivalries among military leaders. This made the Lombards vulnerable to external threats. It wasnt until 584, in response to frequent Frankish incursions, that the dukes were forced to restore the monarchy. Authari, the son of a former king Cleph, was elected as king. With this decision, the Lombard kingdom once again came under centralized rule. Nevertheless, it now functioned more as a loose federation of duchies rather than a unified state.Life Among the Lombards: Customs, Religion & CultureBasilica of San Salvatore in Spoleto. Source: Umbria TourismEarly Lombard society was tribal and patriarchal. At the head of the tribe stood the king, followed by powerful dukes, nobles, and a class of free men called the arimanni, who formed the backbone of the formidable Lombard army. Below them were freedmen, slaves, and servile laborers tied to the land. Lombard clans were tightly knit, and blood feuds and honor-based retaliation were common forms of justice before codified law began to take shape. Wealth was measured in land, livestock, and warrior prestige.Until their arrival in Italy, the Lombards followed laws based on tradition, until King Rothari issued the first written Lombard legal code known as the Edictum Rothari in 643 CE. It combined Germanic principles like wergild (compensation payments for injury or death) with the Roman legal structure. The early Lombards practiced a polytheistic paganism similar to Norse and other Germanic religions. Their deities included Odan (analogous to the Norse Odin) and Frea (like the Norse Freyja). However, as they moved southward, they gradually adopted Christian beliefs and customs, eventually converting to Arian Christianity. From the time of Queen Theodelinda, toward the end of the 6th century CE, the majority of Lombards transitioned to Catholicism.They spoke a type of Germanic language that is now extinct and left behind very few written records. On the other hand, the Lombards left a rich archaeological legacy: their graves were filled with weapons, jewelry, and personal belongings. Their settlements followed Roman patterns and Romanesque architecture, and one of their most famous surviving monuments is the Tempietto Longobardo church in Cividale del Friuli.End of the Lombards: Charlemagne & the Fall of the KingdomCharlemagne, by Albrecht Drer, c. 1510, Germanisches Nationalmuseum. Source: Google Arts & CultureThe Franks, under the leadership of Charlemagne, had strong imperial ambitions that would reshape the medieval West. For the Langobards, this marked the end of two centuries of rule in Italy. In the decades leading up to the collapse of the Lombard kingdom, tensions between the Lombards and the Papacy had been steadily rising. The main cause was the ambition of Lombard kings, especially King Desiderius, to expand further into central Italy, which the popes feared would threaten their autonomy.Pope Hadrian I sought help from Charlemagne, son of Pepin the Short and the newly crowned king of the Franks. Charlemagne had both personal and political reasons to intervene. He had been briefly married to Desideriuss daughter, a marriage and alliance that left a bitter aftertaste. He also viewed Lombard expansion as a significant political threat. In 773, after receiving an official request for help from the Pope, he led a Frankish army across the Alps.By the spring of the following year, Pavia, the main Lombard stronghold, had fallen. Desiderius was exiled to a monastery, most likely at Corbie in northern France. Charlemagne entered Pavia in triumph and declared himself rex Langobardorum, King of the Lombards. This was the first time in Western Europe that a non-Italian ruler had taken the crown of a barbarian kingdom without completely destroying it.Although the Lombard kingdom was extinguished by Charlemagnes conquest, its cultural and social influence did not disappear overnight. The duchies of Spoleto and Benevento continued to exist into the 10th century, preserving the Lombard language and customs. Nevertheless, in most of Lombardy, the arrival of the Franks brought profound administrative, social, and political changes.

Up to this point, the modding community is stronger than ever, and there are more mods out there than our own imaginations can keep up with! But have you ever imagined what a crossover between Red Dead Redemption 2 and Pokmon would actually look like?

A matching set of this kitchen staple might look great on your counter - but Anthony Bourdain said that it's usually just money down the drain.

Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken Chili is a fun twist on white chicken chili! With all those Mississippi recipe flavors but in a warm, creamy slow cooker chili! A UNIQUE WHITE CHILI SLOW COOKER RECIPEIm sure by now, youve seen all sort of Mississippi something recipes. With Mississippi Pot Roast, Mississippi Chicken, Mississippi Meatloaf and even Mississippi Kielbasa! They all have the same basic ingredients with minor changes. So I figured why not add those flavors to a white chili! It came out with so much flavor and different than a traditional White Chicken Chili. My biggest tip for all of those Mississippi meals is to make sure you use low sodium options when possible it makes a huge difference!FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:Is Mississippi Chicken Chili spicy? I dont think its overly spicy, but if you dont want any extra spice, I would just leave out the pepperoncini juice and use the whole peppers instead of the slices, so you can get a little of that flavor without much of the spice. What if the chili is too thick? If you find your chili being thicker tha you prefer, just warm up some more chicken broth and stir it in. What else can I add to this chili? Want some more tangy flavor? Add some more pepperoncini juice. Want to add a touch of sweetness? Add some corn. You can add some Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese just before serving it is when Id stir it in. Want some heat? Try tossing in some diced jalapenos or some crushed red pepper flakes. Can I make this thicker? If youd like the broth to be super thick, you can make a cornstarch slurry and add it in. To do this, just mix 3 Tablespoons of cornstarch with 3 Tablespoons of water. Once thats mixed together, toss it in the chili and stir. Cover the chili back up with the lid adn turn to a high setting for about 30 minutes. What to serve with Mississippi Chicken Chili? Just like any other Chicken Chili recipe, a good crusty bread is really good with this chili. You could also serve a bowl with some Sweet Cornbread or Cornbread Muffins. A nice green salad or some roasted veggies also go nicely together as well. How long does this Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken Chili last? This chili can be stored in an airtight container that should be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can keep it longer by freezing it for up to 2 months in a freezer safe container. Toss frozen chili in the fridge to thaw overnight before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave. Be sure to stir it occasionally so it reheats evenly. INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins or you can use boneless skinless chicken breasts. Chicken thighs work if you prefer dark meat.ranch seasoning mix I like to use Homemade Ranch Seasoning if I have some on hand, but a packet from the store will do just fine if thats all you have. brown gravy mix instead of brown gravy, you could give a packet of Au Jus gravy a try. Homemade Au Jus gravy should work too. If you want an onion twist, try adding some onion soup mix instead. garlic powderchicken broth you can use low or no sodium broth, especially if you have a salty gravy mix. Using Homemade Chicken Broth is always an option and is a good one if youre looking to control specific ingredients. great northern beans drained and rinsed. Cannellini beans are a good alternative.sliced pepperoncini peppers these are what brings that classic Mississippi flavorpepperoncini juice again, this is that Mississippi flavor starblock cream cheese softened and cubed makes it easier to melt into the dish. You can use my Tips to Soften Cream Cheese Faster if you need them. I usually stick to full fat cream cheese, but if you only have reduced fat cream cheese, that should still work. But the consistency might be a bit thin in comparison.heavy creamHOW TO MAKE CROCK POT MISSISSIPPI CHICKEN CHILI:Place the chicken tenderloins into the bottom a 5-6 quart crock pot.Sprinkle ranch seasoning mix, brown gravy mix, garlic powder, and black pepper evenly over the chicken. Pour chicken broth over the top. Then add great northern beans, peperoncini peppers, and peperoncini juice. Cover and cook on low for 67 hours, until chicken is very tender and can shred easily. Remove chicken, shred into bite size pieces, and return it to the crock pot.Add in cream cheese and heavy cream and stir until fully combined. If necessary, cover the crock pot for about 10 extra minutes to give time for the cream cheese to fully melt into the chili. Remove the lid and let chili rest for about 10 minutes before serving to thicken slightly.CRAVING MORE RECIPES?Crock Pot Mississippi ChickenCrock Pot Mississippi Roast ChickenCrock Pot ChiliCrock Pot Dr Pepper ChiliCrock Pot Mississippi Pork Roast PrintCrock Pot Mississippi Chicken ChiliA combination of two favorites- Mississippi chicken and white chicken chili made in the Slow Cooker.Course Dinner, Main CourseCuisine AmericanPrep Time 10 minutes minutesCook Time 7 hours hoursTotal Time 7 hours hours 10 minutes minutesServings 8Calories 196kcalAuthor Brandie SkibinskiIngredients1 pounds boneless skinless chicken tenderloins or chicken breasts1 ounce ranch seasoning mix1 packet brown gravy mix1 teaspoon garlic powder teaspoon black pepper2 cups chicken broth can use low or no sodium2 cans great northern beans 15-ounce cans, drained and rinsed cup sliced pepperoncini peppers2 Tablespoons pepperoncini juice8 ounce block cream cheese softened and cubed cup heavy creamInstructionsPlace the chicken tenderloins into the bottom a 5-6 quart crock pot.Sprinkle ranch seasoning mix, brown gravy mix, garlic powder, and black pepper evenly over the chicken.Pour chicken broth over the top. Then add great northern beans, pepperoncini peppers, and pepperoncini juice. Cover and cook on low for 67 hours, until chicken is very tender and can shred easily.Remove chicken, shred into bite size pieces, and return it to the crock pot. Add in cream cheese and heavy cream and stir until fully combined. If necessary, cover the crock pot for about 10 extra minutes to give time for the cream cheese to fully melt into the chili.Remove the lid and let chili rest for about 10 minutes before serving to thicken slightly. NotesPlease refer to my FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.This makes between 6-8 servings.NutritionCalories: 196kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 8g | Sodium: 788mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 2g

If you own a Roku smart TV, streaming stick, or entertainment player, you may be considering getting a replacement remote. These are some of the top options.

TikTok usage dropped following ownership change, benefiting rival apps. But now, its numbers are climbing again.

Luffu uses AI in the background to gather and organize family information, learn day-to-day patterns, and flag notable changes so families can stay aligned and address potential wellbeing issues.

90 New Rock + Metal Tours Announced The Last 5 Weeks - See Lineups + DatesHave you kept up with all 90 new rock and metal tour announcements over the past five weeks? We don't think you have, but that's okay — we've got you covered!We're going back all the way to the final week of December and through the last Friday of January. With 90s new tours on deck, we've truly lost count of just how...

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever takes a selfie during the opening of the construction site for the new Schelde (Scheldt) tunnel in Antwerp, Belgium, on May 25, 2025. Nicolas Maeterlinck/Belga/AFP