Liutprand Liutprand Pronounced
As: lootprand , d. 744, king of
the Lombards (712-44). Under his rule the Lombard kingdom of Italy
reached its zenith. The first Christian Lombard ruler, Liutprand
strongly favored Roman law and institutions. His legislation
anticipated the reforms of Charlemagne by protecting his subjects
from denial of justice through special envoys authorized to
administer justice and redress grievances. He curbed the powers of
the local dukes and bishops, thus creating a centralized state, and
he obtained the submission of the duchies of Spoleto and Benevento.
In the north, he expanded his dominions at the expense of Bavaria.
Liutprand died after attempting to bring Ravenna, which was under
Byzantine rule, into his domain. After the brief reigns of
Liutprand's nephew Hildeprand and of Ratchis, duke of Friuli,
Liutprand's brother Aistulf acceded (749) and took Ravenna in
751.
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