Ratchis[1] (died after 757) was theDuke of Friuli (739–744) and thenKing of the Lombards (744–749).
Ratchis was the son of DukePemmo of Friuli and the nephew of the Lombard kingLiutprand, who, despite his history of strife with Pemmo, appointed Ratchis to succeed his father in 737. Ratchis was married to a Roman woman named Tassia. During his rule of Friuli, he launched an expedition against theSlavs inCarniola, across the Eastern Alps, fighting in person during the battles.
Ratchis denique aput Foroiuli dux, ut dixeramus, effectus, in Carniolam Sclavorum patriam cum suis ingressus, magnam multitudinem Sclavorum interficiens, eorum omnia devastavit.
— Paulus Diaconus, Historia Langobardorum, Liber VI[2]
He became king of the Lombards in 744, after the deposition ofHildeprand, most likely with the support of the more autonomous Lombard dukes. Ratchis ruled initially in peace, in particular with the neighboringByzantine-ruledexarchate of Ravenna. However, perhaps pushed by more traditional parties among his followers, in 749 he invaded theDuchy of the Pentapolis and besiegedPerugia.Pope Zachary convinced him to lift the siege, but this further reduced his prestige among the dukes, who deposed him later year at an assembly inMilan. His brotherAistulf succeeded him. Ratchis initially tried to raise opposition to the assembly's decision, but soon was forced to take refuge inRome. He later entered the abbey ofMontecassino with his family.
Following Aistulf's passing in 756, Ratchis fought to reclaim the throne. He was able to gain control of the royal palace inPavia with the support of several Lombard nobles, but was defeated by theduke of Tuscany,Desiderius, who had the support ofPope Stephen II and the Frankish kingPepin the Short. In 757, Ratchis retired again to a monastery, either Montecassino orCervaro.
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| Preceded by | Duke of Friuli 739 – 744 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | King of the Lombards 744 – 749 | |
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