Défendre « l’Empire du Couchant » par « l’alliance avec les barbares ». Foedera et foederati au temps d’Aetius (425-454) : pour une relecture de la diplomatie et de la stratégie du patrice Aetius en Occident. Première partie : Les aspects diplomatiques

The present study aims to propose a new reading of the diplomatic efforts made by the general Aetius from 425 to 454. At that time, since he became Patricius in 432/433, he could exercise a true hegemony over the western Empire. Aetius has been long described by the Moderns as having based his power, career, and hegemony on his privileged relationship with the Huns. He though seems to have look for allies much more sooner than one thought, and from other gentes foederatae in order to diversify supply of military resources and foederati while the Western Empire was under intense pressure. Therefore, Aetius turned to the Franks as early as the 430s and, especially after 439, to the Goths from Aquitanian: these two gentes foederatae became his main allies in defending and maintaining the imperial hegemony in the West.