537-538 Siege of Rome by Belisarius.
540 Witiges captured by Belisarius and taken to Constantinople where he dies three years later. Theodebald or Hildibald elected.
541 Theodebald gains a victory over Belisarius, but is murdered by his body-guard, and Eraric succeeds him. He enters into negotiations with Justinian, which displeases his subjects, and Totila or Baduila is elected in his place.
542 Totila captures Naples.
546 Totila captures Rome. Belisarius recovers it the following year.
552 Narses replaces Belisarius in Italy. Defeat and death of Totila at battle of Taginæ. Theias or Teias is elected king.
553 Defeat and death of Theias at the Draco. The Ostrogoths conclude the war on condition that they be allowed to leave Italy. Failure of the expedition of the Alamannian leaders, Leutharis and Butilin, to oppose Narses. Italy once more becomes part of the Roman Empire.
THE EXARCHATE OVER ALL ITALY (553-568 A.D.)
553 Narses rules Italy in the Byzantine emperors’ names as an exarch. He holds court at Ravenna.
562 Narses takes Verona and Brixia (Brescia).