Liber Historiae Francorum
Aegidius was referred to by numerous titles in primary sources, many of which were contradictory. In the "Historia Francorum" by Gregory of Tours, he is twice called "magister militum" (Master of Soldiers), although Gregory describes him as being elected "rex" (king) of the Franks. Even more confusingly, Gregory does not give him any title while mentioning his death. The "Liber Historiae Francorum" refers to him initially as "rex", but later twice calls him "principem Romanorum" (the Roman emperor). In the 'A' version of the "Liber Historiae Francorum", he is called "Romanorum rex" (King of the Romans) at the time of his death, while the 'B' version calls him "Romanorum tirannus" (Roman tyrant), implying that he was a usurper. The "Chronicle of Fredegar" calls him "comes" (count). Based on the two references from the "Liber Historiae Francorum" which refer to him as emperor, and the occasional usage of the title of "rex" to refer to an emperor, some have asserted that he was in fact an emperor, although this is based upon shaky evidence, and is considered very unlikely by most historians. Modern historians give three possibilities for his actual status: The first possibility is that he declared himself king, and was called such by both his own kingdom, and external barbarians. The second is that he was never called king within his own lifetime, but later folk or epic traditions gave him the title. The third is that he was referred to by a Roman title by his subjects, but called "rex" by barbarians, as it was analogous to the titles of their own rulers.