Introduction

Last time we followed the reign of the Emperor Xeno through various rebellions and diplomatic scheming. In 488 he persuaded the Goths to head west and invade Italy, ending their century-long domination of the Balkans. Theodoric won all of the major battles over the next couple of years and then began besieging Odusse in Ravenna. He apparently struck the final blow, killing Odusse over dinner in March 493. It looks like keeping a straight chronological narrative is going to be increasingly difficult within the Byzantine world.