92 Arnold
empire, was the unexpected death of Eutharic sometime in the early–mid 520s.
If Theoderic had intended the union of the Visigothic and Ostrogothic king-
doms to be permanent, Eutharic’s death and the resulting succession crisis
threw this into question. At the time Theoderic’s chief representative in Spain,
the future Visigothic king Theudis, was growing increasingly independent, to
the point where a Visigothic revolt was feared. Theudis proved himself a loyal
subject, but these and other factors, not least Amalaric’s long-standing claim
to the throne, led to the decision that the Visigothic kingdom should go its own
way. How the agreement was reached is uncertain, but upon Theoderic’s death
in 526 Spain and Gaul west of the Rhône fell to Amalaric, while Italy, Illyricum,
and what remained of the Gallic prefecture fell to Athalaric, the young son of
Eutharic and Theoderic’s daughter, Amalasuentha. In addition, the Visigothic
royal treasure was returned to Amalaric’s court, and the Goths of Gaul and
Spain, who had intermarried during Theoderic’s reign, were allowed to serve
whichever kingdom they wished.103
Despite the obvious loss of territory, manpower, and revenue, the Gallic
prefecture remained an important component of the Ostrogothic kingdom for
another decade, serving as a buffer for Italy in the face of renewed Frankish
aggression.104 Athalaric’s Gallic provincials swore an oath of loyalty to him
at the beginning of his reign, as did Liberius, who remained their prefect.105
Gothic garrisons likewise guarded the prefecture’s cities and frontiers, cel-
ebrating victories against the Burgundians and Franks during the regency of
Amalasuentha and holding fast in Gaul into the opening years of the Gothic
Wa r.106 Indeed it was not until Justinian’s invasion of Dalmatia and Sicily in
535 that Ostrogothic rule in Gaul was placed into question. As in the past, Italy
remained paramount. And in response to the Byzantine threat to Italy’s east
and south, the Ostrogothic king Theodahad turned west and sought a military
alliance with the Franks, promising all his possessions in Gaul and the payment
of 20 centenaria of gold. Nothing came of the offer, since Theodahad was mur-
dered before the negotiations had been concluded. However, the Franks allied
with Justinian in the interim, leaving the prefecture (and thus north-western
Italy) dangerously exposed. The following year, therefore, Theodahad’s succes-
sor, Witigis, renewed talks with the Franks, believing that Gaul was no lon-
ger defensible and that concentrating all available forces in Italy was the best
103 Procopius, Wars 5.12.50–5.13.9. Cf. Isidore of Seville, Historia Gothorum 39–40.
104 Wolfram, Goths, p. 334, may overestimate the effect that the loss of soldiers had, as it was
accompanied by a significant reduction in the border length.
105 Variae 8.6–7.
106 Variae 11.1.12–13 and Procopius, Wars 5.11.28 and 5.13.19. Cf. Jordanes, Getica 305.