Well, they were more confederacies of tribes, than kingdoms (at least before dynasties gained supremacy): successions were still influenced by prestige and power, rather than birth rights alone...
For example I recall Aetius urging Thorismund to secure his claim, still he did it to remove the latter, but that the Frank would listen, gives some hint...
The two generals did squabble among themselves, imo, there are even too many episodes of Romani underestimating their opponents and Arausio was one...
Even though, so spoke Plutarch and he loved tales :P
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