WI:Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy

A big(if underused) what if of the Middle Ages:What if the Ostrogoths retained Italy for at least two centuries longer than OTL? What if?
 

Deleted member 67076

Depends, is there a Byzantine invasion of Italy or not?
 

Deleted member 67076

Yes, but it gets beaten.
Okay, I still need more details. How long was the war, what caused it to end (say, a war with Persia breaks out during the invasion and the Romans pull out because they're not making any progress) how much destruction occurred (extremely important) and how many Italians or Goths died?
 
Okay, I still need more details. How long was the war, what caused it to end (say, a war with Persia breaks out during the invasion and the Romans pull out because they're not making any progress) how much destruction occurred (extremely important) and how many Italians or Goths died?

OK, so the Byzantines invaded but Belisarius was killed by Totila and the Byzantines were defeated. it would be quite destructive but I think about half or maybe a third of OTL. Also, you could just butterfly away the Reconquests if you want. is Justinian dies when he's a baby sufficient to do that?
 

Deleted member 67076

OK, so the Byzantines invaded but Belisarius was killed by Totila and the Byzantines were defeated. it would be quite destructive but I think about half or maybe a third of OTL. Also, you could just butterfly away the Reconquests if you want. is Justinian dies when he's a baby sufficient to do that?

Or just have the Iberian war last longer and have the Byzantines focused there. A greater success in the war might lead to the Byzantines try to take Mesopotamia and thus a much longer war.

That should leave Italy secure for the time being from the Byzantines.
 
Or just have the Iberian war last longer and have the Byzantines focused there. A greater success in the war might lead to the Byzantines try to take Mesopotamia and thus a much longer war.

That should leave Italy secure for the time being from the Byzantines.

Are you going to make a TL on this? 'Cause I'd love to see an Ostrogothic TL!
 

Deleted member 67076

Are you going to make a TL on this? 'Cause I'd love to see an Ostrogothic TL!
Already have 2 running and am planning a third, so no. At least not for now:(

It is an interesting idea. However I think in the long run we'll see a Romanization and later assimilation of the Goths.
 
Would the Byzantine try to attack again, do you think?

Probably, in the very least Southern Italy. Southern Italy and Sicily are just too important to the Empire long term, they are the keystone to controling the mediteranian and prevents the Epirote coast being used as a landing spot for an invasion. And the Sassanids distracting the Byzatines for awhile won't change the fact that they will probably get to it eventually. Maybe if you kill Justinian and have Khosrau manage to decidedly beat the empire and managed to get most of the various land claims that where in dispute out of the Empire they'd be busy fighting for Armenia and lots of Syria for awhile leaving the Ostrogoths to centralize.
 
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