Goar

Goar (born before 390, died between 446 and 450) was a leader of the Alans in 5th-century Gaul. He led his followers over the Rhine during the multi-tribe invasion of Gaul in 406, but quickly joined the Romans, and subsequently played a role in the internal politics of Gaul.

Invasion of Gaul

Goar is first mentioned in Gregory of Tours's description of the barbarian invasion across the Rhine on December 31, 406. A number of tribes took part in this invasion, including Goar's Alans, another party of Alans led by Respendial, the Asding Vandals led by Godigisel, the Siling Vandals, and several groups of Suevi. It is not stated where these groups originated from, though most historians identify these Alans with those settled by Gratian in Pannonia c. 380.

According to Gregory, the Roman-allied Franks attacked the Asding Vandals by Mainz while they were in the midst of crossing, killed Godigisel, and were on the verge of exterminating the tribe. But at that point the other Alan king, Respendial, came to the Vandals' rescue and defeated the Franks, "although Goar had gone over to the Romans." It's unclear from Gregory's account whether Goar actually joined the Franks in fighting his co-invaders; but in any case, he remained in Gaul while the Vandals, Sueves, and Respendial's Alans continued into Spain.