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tell us, " In regard to the constitu–
tional principie and the adminis–
trative system the Ostrogothic
regime is simply a continuation of
the regime of Odovacer." There is
no break; the substitution of Theo–
doric is, from this point of view, sim–
ply a change in person.
In A.D. 526, Theodoric dies and
bis kingdom is divided among bis
grandsons. The possibility of a uni–
fied Gothic kingdom in Italy is fin–
ished. In seven years, Justinian will
begin his invasions of the Germanic
kingdoms in Western Europe.
Years 533-565: Justinian "Re–
stores" the Empire.
In
533,
Justinian
dispatches his military genius, Beli–
sarius, into North Africa. The task is
to reconquer all the lost territory of
the Roman Empire and restore it to
the imperial domains. Belisarius
makes short work of the Vandals in
North Africa. Next, his army of
Huns, Isaurians and other merce–
naries land in Italy.
By
535,
the war for the reconquest
of Italy has begun in eamest; it will
not end for another twenty years.
Not until
553
do the last important
remnants of the Gothic army sur–
render. Then, the next year,
554,
the
Goths call in barbarían Franks and
Alamanni. These march across ltaly,
killing friend and foe alike. Finally,
they are defeated and crushed by
imperial troops at the battle of
Capua.
In
554
Justinian sets down bis
Pragmatic Sanction. ltalian lands
taken by the Ostrogoths are restored
to the empire. A
pro forma
restora–
tion of government is also made.
The Roman Empire in the West has
been nursed back to sorne sem–
blance of political and
rnilitary
health.
Italy has been reconquered, but
at a terrible price. Even then,
Gothic strongholds such as Verona
hold out until 563. Justinian at–
tempts no restoration beyond the
Alps; Spain is only partially held.
The War of Reconquest exhausts
Italy. Plague, pestilence and famine
follow in the footsteps of Gothic
and imperial troops. The business of
PlAIN TRUTH October 1
973
MAPS CONTINUED
(A.D. 409) and
in
Nortb Africa
(A.D.
419). Tbe
Vandal kiogdom
was ftnally
recognized
by the
Ro–
man emperor
in
A.D. 435.
In
a
sense,
tbe
lost
Afrlcan tenitorles
were once again
part
of
the
empire.
1be
Vislgoths
establisbed
an
em–
pire
in
Spain
and
in
parts
of
Gaul,
tbougb
no
formal recoguidon was
forthcoming
from
the
Roman em–
peror.
In
493,
Tbeodoric and
bJs
Ostrogotbs overthrew
Odovaeer
and
also
concluded a
treaty
with the
eastern
emperor.
In
A.D.
515,
three
barbarian
king–
doms,
aD
Arian
CbristiaJa,
were
es–
tablisbed
in
tbe
Western
Roman
Empire. Tbe Vandals ruled North
Africa,
the
Vislgoths
were
in
Spain,
and tbe Ostrogotbs rulecl Italy.
ID
A.D.
533,
tbe
eastern Roman
emperor Jusdnlan embark.ecl on a
military
campaign
of
reconquest.
Bis
aim
was
to reunite
tbe
westem
balf
of
tbe
empire
witb
tbe
eastern
balf
and to uproot Ariauism, replac–
ing
it
wltb.
Catbollcism.
ID
533, Jus–
tinian's general, Bellsarhls,
lnvaded
Nortb
Africa.
Tbe Vandals were
soon
dispatcbecl.
But
tbe
malnlaud
war witb tbe Ostr ogotbs took
tweuty
years to complete and left
only bavoc.
By
554,
Jusdnlau bad subjugatecl
most of ltaly and issued bis
Pragmatic Sauedon. Itallan lands
taken by tbe Ostrogotbs were
re–
stored.
A
pro fomuz
restoradon of gov–
emment was made. Tbougb tbe last
pockets of Ostrogotbic resistance
were
oot
smasbecl until 563,
offi–
claDy, ltaly was restored to a
Ro–
man Catbolic empire.
But almost immecliately, aootber
Germanlc
tri~
tbe Ariau
Lom–
banls, invadecl ltaly. By Justiniao's
deatb
in
565, most of Italy
bad
beeo
lost to Catbolicism aod tbe empire.
Tbe
Westem Roman Empire, espe–
claUy,
seemed
to
be passiog from
blstory, aud
with
it,
tbe establisbed
Christian religion.
But at tbat critical momeot for
cburcb
aod
empire, a
startliog
new
development was taklng place io tbe
Germanlc k.logdom of tbe
Franks.
In
tbe future, tbe Fraoks would re–
store
stabiUty to wbat bad
been
tbe
empire
of
tbe West.
Europe
at
deott. of Justinian as
Lombards
~er
ltaly - A.D.
565.
37