Theodahad

Painting a picture of an unlikely king whose reign helped spell the end of Ostrogothic Italy, Vitiello’s book not only illuminates Theodahad’s own life but also offers new insight into the sixth-century Mediterranean world.

Massimiliano Vitiello is an assistant professor in the Department of History at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

‘Theodahad is a powerful and convincing narrative. Therefore the reviewer’s advice to the audience runs as follows: Tolle lege.’

Michael Kulikowski, Department of History, Pennsylvania State University:
“Vitiello’s fine study of Theodahad will be very valuable for scholars of the sixth century.

Michele Salzman, Department of History, University of California, Riverside:
“Theodahad is a fascinating overview of the man and the political and cultural forces at work in his era. Vitiello provides a nuanced interpretation of the failure of Theodahad’s diplomacy and the limitations of his character, as well as new perspectives on Justinian, Theodora, and the later Roman popes.”