The Senate at Rome in Ostrogothic Italy 141
owing to lacunae in the Variae, but it seems that until 533 and Amalasuentha’s
appeal for assistance from Justinian, the pro-Gothic party dominated the
political scene and caused the aforementioned dismissals. Following this
development, and possibly as a result of Justinian’s backing, Amalasuentha
seems to have returned briefly to her previous position of influence before
Theodahad finally had her murdered.129 In this brief period between 527 and
534, Amalasuentha made two important appointments: Liberius, probably her
most loyal officer next to Cassiodorus, became patricius praesentalis and took
command of the Gothic army in Gaul, while Cassiodorus replaced Cyprianus
as praefectus praetorio. Conflict over offices still dominated senatorial motives.
Competition between homines novi and established families for support from
the Amal family turned into a division between supporters of a traditional
Gothic versus a traditional Roman way of life.
Relations with the senatorial elite deteriorated under the reign of
Theodahad.130 With his own political ambitions restricted by his vow to accept
Amalasuentha as his queen, Theodahad’s only recourse to the direct exer-
cise of power was to arrange Amalasuentha’s murder. This act was devisive in
various ways. It proved unpopular with the senatorial elite (presumably out
of appreciation for Amalasuentha’s tactful interventions as a ruler), and pro-
vided the casus belli for the eastern Roman emperor.131 But apart from his dras-
tic means of eliminating a political opponent, it was Theodahad’s behaviour
in general that alienated the traditional families. Theodahad departed from
previous minting practices by issuing coins with a stronger representation of
himself as imperator. Similarly, the mistreatment of members of the senatorial
elite (e.g. capturing members of eastern Roman embassies) strained relations.132
By these actions, Theodahad failed to reassure the Roman elite of his ability to
follow Theoderic’s example; on the contrary, anxiety over Theodahad’s inten-
tions probably inclined the traditional elite to turn away from the Ostrogothic
regime and entertain pre-existing ties to the East.
129 Wolfram, Die Goten, p. 336. The Franks had invaded Burgundian territory and taken over
Arles—events that did not even need a pretext for Amalasuentha to send away impor-
tant military leaders, Tuluin among them, see Procopius, De Bellis Libri 1.13,15, ed. Haury/
Wirth.
130 Procopius De Bellis Libri 1.4.4f., ed. Haury/Wirth and Cassiodorus, Variae 10.2 and 3,
ed. Mommsen.
131 Cassiodorus, Variae 10.19, ed. Mommsen, and Bjornlie, Politics, pp. 141f.
132 Bjornlie, Politics, p. 142; Hahn, Moneta 1, p. 90; Wolfram, Die Goten, p. 540.