The Eternal City

After the conquest of Vandal Africa, Justinian uses the murder of the Ostrogothic queen Amalasuntha as grounds for intervention in Italy. Belisarius and Varus lead a small veteran army into the Ostrogothic kingdom, seeking to recover Rome and extend imperial control beyond the first victories in Sicily and southern Italy.

The campaign is complicated by famine, disease, religious division and the climatic disruption associated with the severe weather of 536. As Gothic forces close around Rome, the imperial troops must defend the city with inadequate supplies and uncertain reinforcements while Justinian’s wider project of reconquest places civilians and soldiers under increasing strain.