Page "Justinian I" Paragraph 38

While military efforts were directed to the East, the situation in Italy took a turn for the worse.

Under their respective kings Ildibad and Eraric ( both murdered in 541 ) and especially Totila, the Ostrogoths made quick gains.

After a victory at Faenza in 542, they reconquered the major cities of Southern Italy and soon held almost the entire peninsula.

Belisarius was sent back to Italy late in 544, but lacked sufficient troops.

Making no headway, he was relieved of his command in 548.

Belisarius succeeded in defeating a Gothic fleet with 200 ships.

During this period the city of Rome changed hands three more times, first taken and depopulated by the Ostrogoths in December 546, then reconquered by the Byzantines in 547, and then again by the Goths in January 550.

Totila also plundered Sicily and attacked the Greek coastlines.