Guntram and Childebert lead two armies across the Alps in 590, respectively over Mont Cenis and the Brenner to Milan and Verona.
Though Authari shuts himself up in Pavia, the Franks accomplish little as the exarch's army does not meet them and they can not even join up with each other.
Pestilence turns them around and they leave the Lombards much chastened, but hardly defeated.
On May 15, 589, Authari had married Theodelinda, daughter of the Bavarian duke Garibald I.
A Catholic, she has great influence among the Lombards for her virtue.
When Authari dies in Pavia on September 5, 590, possibly by poison, he is succeeded as king by Agilulf, duke of Turin, on the advice, sought by the dukes, of Theodelinda, who marries the new king.
