Vinitharius

Vinitharius was possibly a king of the Greuthungian Goths around 375-376 AD. Vinitharius is mentioned by Jordanes in Getica. According to him Vinitharius became the new king of the Greuthungi after the death of Ermanaric. Ammianus Marcellinus reports that Ermanaric was succeeded by Vithimiris.

Vinitharius is said to have fought the Antes under their leader Boz. He defeated the Antes and crucified Boz, his eight sons and seventy noblemen. Vinitharius is said to have been defeat by the Hun leader Balamber, who took the daughter of Vinitharius as his wife. The portayal of Jordanes is problematic, in particular with regards to the Antes, who are only mentioned by other authors in the 6th century. It is possible that Vinitharius and Vithimiris refers to the same person.

Sources

• Hermann Reichert: Vinithar. In: Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde (RGA). 2. Auflage. Band 32, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin / New York 2006, ISBN 3-11-018387-0, S. 430–431
• Arne Søby Christensen: Cassiodorus, Jordanes and the History of the Goths: Studies in a Migration Myth. Museum Tusculanum Press, Kopenhagen 2002, ISBN 8772897104, S. 140–156.