CHLODIO

died c. 447 also spelled Clodion, French Chlodion king of a tribe of Salian Franks, considered the founder of the Merovingian dynasty. Chlodio's tribe renounced the suzerainty of Rome after 428 and broke across the Scheldt River, spreading southward into Gaul until they reached Tournai and Cambrai. Their defeat (c. 431) by the Roman general Aetius at Helena (Hlesme), between Tournai and Cambrai, prevented further expansion. Chlodio did occupy all the country as far as the Somme River, however, and he made Tournai the capital of the Salian Franks. His successor was Merovech.