538. Vitiges retreats from before Rome and takes shelter in Ravenna.
539. The Franks, under Theodebert, invade Italy and plunder Genoa; attacked by disease they return into Gaul.
540. Vitiges surrenders Ravenna and is sent a prisoner to Constantinople. Justinian recalls Belisarius from Italy.
Khusrau, King of Persia, invades Syria and takes Antioch.
A total eclipse of the sun, June 20th.
Justinian makes a formal relinquishment of Gaul to the Franks.
541. Belisarius takes the command of the Roman forces against the Persians; he defeats Khusrau.
Totila, King of the Ostrogoths, is successful in Italy. End of the succession of Roman consuls.
542. Belisarius compels the Persians to recross the Euphrates.
The great plague spreads from Egypt and rages for many years in Asia and Europe.