The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Authari
(ô´thâr) (KEY) , d. 590, Lombard king (58490). Elected by the Lombard dukes to end the anarchy that prevailed in Italy after the murder (572?) of Alboin (see Lombards), Authari consolidated Lombard power in N Italy and repelled several Frankish invasions instigated by the popes.