With the Herulians and the Bulgars, they were employed by Narses at the Battle of Taginae.
These people's concept of arimmanus, or "free man" was the basis for their military, and the inscription on the Pernik sword is possibly written in their language. They engaged in intermittent warfare with the Gepids under their kings Audoin and Alboin. With the Herulians and the Bulgars, they were employed by Narses at the Battle of Taginae. In an attempt to settle Pannonia, they battled a force at Pavia and made it their capital city in 572. They lost their power after King Desiderius married off his daughter to a man who would conquer them. Their duchy of Spoleto capitulated upon their conquest by Charlemagne, but the duchy of Benevento remained their bastion until they died out. For 10 points, identify this group of Germanic barbarians that give their name to the region of Italy that includes Milan.
These people's concept of arimmanus, or "free man" was the basis for their military, and the inscription on the Pernik sword is possibly written in their language.
Lombards [or Langobards; accept the Kingdom of Lombardy]