Rome’s imperial garrison of Isaurian soldiers, suffering…
January 550 CE
Rome’s imperial garrison of Isaurian soldiers, suffering from hunger and mistreatment from Justinian, have been given a choice by Totila: to open the gates of the city and give up and be paid a hefty sum, like the garrison before them in the second siege, or continue fighting for Justinian, who has not paid the men in years, and possibly die.
Some of the soldiers, while hesitant due to the possible consequences, decided to side with Totila and opened the gate for Totila’s men.
Totila’s men sweep through the city capturing, killing, and looting all but women, for Totila had given orders to spare and respect the Roman women.
Totila, expecting much of the nobles and garrison to flee as soon as the walls were overtaken, had set traps along the roadways to neighboring towns that were not yet under his control.
As he has guessed correctly, many Romans are caught by ambush while fleeing Rome.
With the capture of Rome, Totila decides to repopulate, rebuild, and defend Rome against all future attacks from Justinian.