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The Gothic War: Justinian, Belisarius, and the Frankish Kings

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Theudebert I: Austrasia’s King Looking Toward Rome · EARLY MIDDLE AGES

Between 535 and 553, Italy was devastated by the Gothic War: the Eastern Empire (Byzantium), led by Justinian, tried to take Italy back from the Ostrogoths. This war created a power vacuum that the Frankish kings — and especially Theudebert — would exploit.

👑 534: Amalasuntha is assassinated, Italy tips into crisis

After the death of the young Ostrogothic king Athalaric, his mother Amalasuntha tried to keep power.

  • She associated herself with Theodahad.
  • She was then exiled and assassinated.

This murder gave Justinian an ideal argument: intervene in Italy in the name of order and justice.

⚔️ 535–536: Belisarius conquers quickly

Justinian launched the reconquest and entrusted the operation to General Belisarius.

  • Sicily fell quickly.
  • Southern Italy was progressively taken.

Meanwhile, each side sought allies: Byzantium and the Ostrogoths both tried to attract the Franks.

🤝 The Franks: official allies, opportunists in practice

Frankish kings knew they held a master card: their army.

  • Byzantium spoke of alliances and faith.
  • The Ostrogoths offered gold and territories.

The Franks avoided committing fully: they kept the option to change sides — or to act on their own.

🌊 Provence and Arles: the southern reward

In this game of negotiations, the Franks obtained Provence, giving them direct access to the Mediterranean.

For Theudebert, it was both an economic gain and a political symbol: ruling the South meant drawing closer to the Roman world.

🏹 539: with Italy exhausted, a raid becomes possible

As both camps wore each other down, Theudebert attempted a major expedition.

  • Booty, cities, prestige.
  • But also a major risk: crossing the Alps, feeding the army, avoiding disease.

The expedition illustrates a rule of the 6th century: Italy is rich — but it can destroy an army as much as it can enrich it.

🧠 Key takeaways

  • The Gothic War explains why Frankish kings opened toward the Mediterranean.
  • It turned Theudebert into an international actor: Gaul, Italy, Byzantium.
  • It shows a world where alliance is strategy, not loyalty.