Miro of Gallaecia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Miro was the Suevi king of Gallaecia (latter Galicia) (570-583) who convoked the Second Council of Braga (572). In that same year, he attacked the Asturias and Cantabria, once part of the province of Gallaecia. This campaign by a Catholic king against Arian-held land was an excuse for Leovigild, king of the Visigoths to invade Suevi territory. Between 572 and 574, Leovigild attacked the Suevi in the valley of the Douro, pushing them northwards and founding the Villa Gothorum (now Toro). Then, Leovigild attacked and defeated the Cantabrians. Control of Toro and Astorga opened the way for a full out invasion of Galicia. This he did in 575. After losing Ourense and all the southeast and being attacked in Porto and Braga, Miro made a peace treaty and submitted.

Hermenegild (a recently convert to Catholicism) rebelled against his father, Leovigild (who like most Visigoths was an Arian Christian) and Miro gave Hermenegild support. In 583 though, Leovigild besieged and took Seville. Hermenegild was captured and executed and Miro was forced to make a pact with Leovigild and retreat.

Preceded by
Theodemar
King of Galicia
570-583
Succeeded by
Euric


In other languages