The Avars, strengthened by Frankish payoffs, resume…

Maurice, in 597, writes his will, in which he describes his ideas of governing the Empire.

His eldest son, Theodosius, is to rule the East from Constantinople and his second son, Tiberius, the West from Rome.

The exarchate system of military government seems to work well: North Africa is generally quiet despite Moorish threats; and in 597 the ailing Maurice intends to install his second son, Tiberius, as emperor throughout those western possessions in which he has clearly not lost interest.

Fredegund’s Final Victory Over Brunhilda and Her Death (597 CE)

By 597 CE, Queen Fredegund of Neustria, after years of political intrigue, assassinations, and open warfare, defeats her old rival Brunhilda of Austrasia. Brunhilda had been supporting the claims of her grandsons, Theudebert II (Austrasia) and Theuderic II (Burgundy), against Fredegund’s son, Chlothar II.

Shortly after securing Neustria’s position, Fredegund dies in Paris and is buried in the Basilica of Saint Denis, leaving her thirteen-year-old son, Chlothar II, as the sole ruler of Neustria.

1. The Struggle Between Fredegund and Brunhilda

• Fredegund had long been at war with Brunhilda, seeking to secure the Frankish throne for her own lineage.
• While Brunhilda ruled Austrasia and Burgundy through her grandsons, Fredegund maneuvered politically and militarily to eliminate her influence.
• By 597, Fredegund achieves her final victory, though the war with Austrasia is far from over.

2. The Death of Fredegund and Chlothar II’s Rise to Power

• After securing Neustria’s stability, Fredegund dies in Paris.
• She is buried in the Basilica of Saint Denis, one of the first Merovingian rulers to receive this honor.
• Her thirteen-year-old son, Chlothar II, inherits the throne of Neustria and is immediately thrust into the ongoing civil war against Austrasia and Burgundy.

3. Chlothar II Prepares for War Against Austrasia

• As a young king, Chlothar II is advised by his mother’s loyalists to continue her feud with Brunhilda and her grandsons.
• Austrasia remains the primary obstacle to his ambitions, and he begins preparing for war against the eastern Frankish kingdom.
• This conflict will culminate in 613 CE, when Chlothar II captures Brunhilda and brutally executes her, marking the final victory of Neustria over Austrasia.

Conclusion: Fredegund’s Legacy and the Continued Frankish Civil War

Fredegund’s death in 597 CE does not end the Neustrian-Austrasian conflict—rather, it passes into the hands of her son, Chlothar II. Under his reign, the war escalates, leading to further bloodshed, betrayals, and the eventual downfall of Brunhilda. Fredegund’s ruthless ambition ensures that her dynasty survives, shaping the course of Merovingian politics for decades to come.

Emperor Wen orders his fifth and youngest son, Yang Liang (assisted by the co-prime minister Gao Jiong), and Admiral Zhou Luohou, to conquer Goguryeo with an army and navy totaling three hundred thousand.

Yang Liang's army faces the early rainy season when it reaches Goguryeo in August.

The unseasonably heavy rain make the army's progress almost impossible and hampers the transport of provisions.

Constant attacks by Goguryeo forces and illness inflict heavy casualties.

Coming to the conclusion that the army cannot achieve the objective on its own, Yang decides to combine with Zhou's naval fleet and proceed.

Zhou's navy also encounters their own challenges, contending with rough seas, losing many ships despite staying close to the coastline.

Whenever they anchor, Goguryeo detachments are present to attack the Sui sailors.

The fleet engages in a battle against a Goguryeo fleet totaling fifty thousand led by Admiral Gang Isik, presumably on the present Bohai Sea.

Already weakened by ambushes and nature's onslaught, the Sui fleet suffers a devastating loss and Yang Liang is forced to retreat.

King Yeongyang sends an embassy to Daxing; Emperor Wen accepts a peace agreement with Goguryeo.

He claims a hollow victory, as the Sui Dynasty has lost nearly ninety percent of its army and navy during the disastrous campaign.

The Avars lift the siege of Tomis on March 30, 598, since Comentiolus has led an army of largely inexperienced soldiers over the Haemimons and is moving along the Danube up to Zikidiba, near modern-day Medgidia, just thirty kilometers (nineteen miles) from Tomis.

Priscus, for reasons unknown, does not pursue the Avars and aid Comentiolus.

The latter is forced to evade to Iatrus, where his troops are nonetheless routed and have to fight their way south over the Haemus range.

The Avars, after ravaging many cities in the Balkan peninsula, utilize this victory and advance to Drizipera near Arkadiopolis, between Adrianople and Constantinople, where a large part of their army and seven sons of the Avar Khagan are killed by the plague.

Comentiolus is temporarily relieved of his command and replaced by Philippicus, whereas …

…Maurice summons the Circus factions and his own bodyguards to defend the long walls east of Constantinople.

For the time being, Maurice manages to buy off the Avars, and in the same year, concludes a peace treaty with Bayan, the Avar Khagan, explicitly allowing Roman expeditions in Wallachia.

The Romans used the remainder of the year to reorganize their forces and analyze the causes of failure.

The Romans soon violate the treaty: Priscus advances in the area surrounding Singidunum and winters there in 598/599.

Maurice makes peace with Agilulf, conceding northern Italy.

Pope Gregory I negotiates a truce, ending thirty years of Lombard terror.

Agilulf expands the Lombard Kingdom by occupying Sutri and …