The Ostrogothic Kingdom ruled by Theoderic extends…

The Ostrogothic Kingdom ruled by Theoderic extends throughout the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Illyricum (modern Dalmatia), Corsica and Sardinia.

In Italy, the mother province of the Roman Empire in which the older capital city (Rome) is situated, Justinian finds a situation similar to that in North Africa and one particularly favorable to his ambitions.

Under his immediate predecessors, Theodoric, a barbarian, has ruled Italy.

Although virtually independent, Theodoric is the nominal representative of the Eastern Roman emperor.

He is an Arian and, though at first a tolerant and wise ruler, had begun to persecute the Catholics.

There is not only antagonism between Arian Goths and Catholic Italians but also a rift within the ranks of the Ostrogoths, some of whom are violently anti-Eastern Roman.

Theodoric has attempted to unite the Germanic dynasties of the West through a web of marriage alliances, but leaderships rivalries, among other factors, leave this goal unfulfilled at his death of dysentery on August 30, 526.

His daughter, Amalasuntha, takes power as regent for her ten-year old son Athalaric.