The year 406: Crossing the Frozen Rhine - or not?

[sonic]

Just to add to the confusion there is an article in an old Britannia (around volume XXX I think) that makes an interesting case that the crossing wasn't in fact in 406 ...

I think you mean the one written by Kulikowski. If I get chance I'll dig out the reference.

As to the crossing, I've come to the conclusion that there is no primary evidence for the Rhine being frozen. Gibbon was the first to suggest a frozen crossing. This was probably based upon the ancient sources already mentioned which state that the Rhine froze quite often in winter. However, although it may be a reasonable assumption, it should not be quoted as fact.