born 587

died 612 or 613, Metz, France

younger son of the Merovingian Childebert II; he succeeded his father as king of Burgundy in 595, at first under his grandmother Brunhild's regency and later under her influence. Cooperation with his brother, Theodebert II of Austrasia, was followed by discord, and in 612 Theodoric, supported by Brunhild, overthrew his brother. He died shortly afterward, and Brunhild then attempted to install his young son, Sigebert II, as successor. Her efforts failed, however, and she fell in a rebellion led by Chlotar II, who then reunified Frankish lands under his authority.