 For most of the kingdom's history, the Byzantine-ruled Exarchate of Ravenna and Duchy of Rome separated the northern Lombard duchies, collectively known as Langobardia Maior, from the two large southern duchies of Spoleto and Benevento, which constituted Langobardia Minor.Because of this division, the southern duchies were considerably more autonomous than the smaller northern duchies.Over time, the Lombards gradually adopted Roman titles, names, and traditions.