Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy

The Ostrogothic Kingdom at its greatest extent.

The Ostrogothic Kingdom, officially the Kingdom of Italy (Latin: Regnum Italiae), was established by the Germanic Ostrogoths in Italy and neighboring areas from 493 to 553.

In Italy, the Ostrogoths led by Theodoric the Great killed and replaced Odoacer, a Germanic soldier, erstwhile-leader of the foederati in Northern Italy, and the de facto ruler of Italy, who had deposed the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, Romulus Augustulus, in 476. Under Theodoric, its first king, the Ostrogothic kingdom reached its zenith, stretching from modern southern France in the west to the modern western Serbia in the southeast. Most of the social institutions of the late Western Roman Empire were preserved during his rule. Theodoric called himself Gothorum Romanorumque rex ("King of the Goths and Romans"), demonstrating his desire to be a leader for both peoples.

Starting in 535, the Byzantine Empire invaded Italy under Justinian I. The Ostrogothic ruler at that time, Witiges, could not defend the kingdom successfully and was finally captured when the capital Ravenna fell. The Ostrogoths rallied around a new leader, Totila, and largely managed to reverse the conquest, but were eventually defeated. The last king of the Ostrogothic Kingdom was Teia.

Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy in "The Fake Pandemic"

After traveling back in time from the 20th century to the 6th, Martinus Paduei (né Martin Padway) used his bureaucratic expertise to reverse the declining fortunes of the Italian Kingdom.

With the approval of King Urias, Martinus initiated a period of internal rebuilding and renewal in Italy. At Martinus' suggestion, the capital was moved to Florence. With his capacity for "innovation", Martinus created the new telegraph system, which allowed communications over long distances. He arranged for repairs on old roads, like the Via Aemilia and Via Cassia.

Martinus' efforts also thwarted the Roman Empire's invasion of the Italian Peninsula. By 538, Emperor Justinian saw the writing on the wall, and sent his quaestor Tribonian to Italy to begin diplomatic relations.