Roman Senatorial Aristocracy during the Gothic War (535—554): Composition, Mobility, Behavioral Strategies

Abstract

The Gothic war (535—554) was a geopolitical conflict in which the Romans, Goths, Franks and Lombards were involved at various stages. Based on the information of Procopius of Caesarea, the author of the article explores the degree of involvement in the conflict of the senatorial aristocracy of Rome. The paper concludes that despite the statements of the Greek historian, supported by some modern researchers, the senators were not exclusively passive observers of the clash between the emperor and the Goths. On the contrary, to the best of their ability, despite all the hardships, threats and the difficult psychological climate in the besieged city, the aristocrats tried both to adapt to the conditions of numerous sieges of Rome and to help the imperial army in the reconquest of Italy.