European Kingdoms

The Ostrogoths

Eastern Goths. They originally dominated Southern Russia but were forced west by the Hunnish invasion, and later enslaved until the death of Attila.

From the point at which they were defeated by the Huns up to the death of Attila, nearly a hundred years later, little is known of the Ostrogoths. It is certain that the vast majority of them remained as loyal vassals of their Hunnic overlords. They formed a significant contingent of Attila's army, and at the Battle of Châlons in 451 found themselves on the opposite side to their Visigothic cousins, serving as allies of Aëtius, the Roman Patrician. The Huns were defeated but it was not until Attila's death two years later that the Hunnic Empire collapsed.

In the redistribution of power, the Ostrogoths (led by the Amali branch of Goths) found themselves in possession of Pannonia (roughly modern Hungary) as Roman federates. But with hostile neighbours on all sides and an increasing dependence on subsidies from their new masters in Constantinople, Theodoric (the son of King Thiudimir), rose to become the leader of his people and led them out of the unpromising lands in which they had settled and moved into Moesia, close to Constantinople itself.

270s

The Greutungi, or Ostrogoths, are a branch of Goths who are conquered by the Huns, who sweep into Europe from the Asiatic steppes in the latter half of the fourth century.

fl 370

Ermanaric

Killed himself as the Ostrogothic kingdom was overrun.

c.375 - 453

The invading Huns subjugate the barbarian kingdom of the Ostrogoths.

405 - 407

Radagaisus, a barbarian leader of unknown origin, and his army of Goths, Vandals, Suevi, Burgundians, and Alans is defeated by Roman commander Stilicho when they invade Italy in 405. The barbarians are incorporated into the Roman forces.

447 - c.465

Valamir

Cousin of Thorismund. King of the Ostrogoths in Pannonia.

456 - 457

The Ostrogoths defeat and rout Attila's sons in their fight for independence from the Huns.

468 - 474

Thiudimir

Father of Theodoric.

474 - 493

Theodoric

489 - 493

At the behest of Eastern Emperor Zeno, Theodoric invades Italy and founds an Ostrogothic kingdom based in Rome.

The Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy
AD 493 - 552

Theodoric led the Ostrogothic invasion of Italy, which swept away Odoacer's Post-Imperial Romano-Gothic kingdom, and created an Ostrogothic one which held much of Italy until Byzantium began a re-conquest of the Western Empire in southern Italy. Despite the fact that the invasion had been devised by Emperor Zeno, the Ostrogoths ruled independently, although overtures to Byzantium were made by some Ostrogoth leaders after his death.

493 - 526

Theodoric

Murdered Odoacer at a banquet.

490 - 497

Theodoric asks the Eastern Roman emperor for permission to wear the purple, but this is refused. After he seizes Ravenna and is proclaimed king of the Goths in 493 the position changes. In 497 Anastasius sends back the western imperial regalia which Constantinople had received in 476. Theodoric nevertheless continues to be titled rex.

526

Amalasuntha

Regent. Widow of Theodoric. Murdered by her cousin.

526 - 534

Athalaric

Grandson of Theodoric.

534 - 536

Theodatus

536 - 540

Vittigis

Fled to Ravenna in 536. Killed 540.

536

Rome is freed from barbarian rule by the Eastern Roman Empire in Byzantium. The Goths are subjugated.

540

Theobald

540 - 541

Eraric

541 - 552

Totila (Baduila)

546

The Ostrogoths revolt and recapture Rome.

552 - 553

Teias

Last king of the Ostrogoths.

552

Rome is finally retaken by Byzantium, which governs Italy from Ravenna. This is the end of Ostrogothic rule in Italy.