Totila

5 days left

Invest in History Education

By supporting our charity World History Foundation, you're investing in the future of history education. Your donation helps us empower the next generation with the knowledge and skills they need to understand the world around them. Help us start the new year ready to publish more reliable historical information, free for everyone.
$3754 / $10000

Definition

Totila (birth name, Baduila-Badua r. 541-552 CE) was the last great king of the Ostrogoths in Italy. He was the nephew of the Gothic king Ildibad who was succeeded by Eraric the Rugian (d. 541 CE). The Goths of Italy felt that Eraric was a poor king who pursued his own interests at their expense, and this is the accepted view of history as exemplified by the historian Thomas Hodgkin's observation that "Eraric reigned only five months, during which time he performed not a single noteworthy action" (4). He was deposed and assassinated by conspirators who wished to see Totila take the throne.

More about: Totila

Timeline

  • 541 - 552
    Reign of Totila, Last King of the Goths.
  • 542
    Totila defeats the imperial army at Faenza.
  • 542
    Totila defeats the imperial army at Mugello.
  • 543
    Totila lays siege to Naples.
  • 545
    Totila lays siege to and occupies Rome.
  • 546 - 548
    Totila continues to win victories against the empire and his army grows.
  • 549
    Second siege and occupation of Rome.
  • 549
    Second siege and occupation of Rome.
  • 550
    Totila conquers Sicily.
  • 551
    General Narses lands in Sicily to lead imperial armies against Totila.
  • 552
    The Battle of Taginae, Totila is defeated by Narses and killed.
  • Oct 552
    The remnants of the Gothic army are defeated at The Battle of Mons Lactarius.
  • 555
    The last of the Gothic Resistance surrenders; the Eastern Empire reclaims Italy.
Membership