Sack of Rome (546)

Towards the end of 545 the Gothic king Totila was based at Tivoli and, in pursuit of his quest to conquer Italy, decided to starve Rome into surrender. Pope Vigilius, who had fled to the safety of Syracuse, he sent a flotilla of grain ships to feed Rome but Totila's navy intercepted them near the mouth of the Tiber and captured the fleet. The imperial fleet, led by the Belisarius failed to relieve the city and Rome was forced to open its gates to the Goths.

Rome was plundered, although Totila did not carry out his threat to make it a pasture for cattle, and when the Gothic army withdrew into Apulia it was from a scene of desolation. But Rome's walls and other fortifications were soon restored so Totila marched against it again. This time he was defeated by Belisarius but the general did not follow up his advantage. Several cities including Perugia were taken by the Goths, while Belisarius remained inactive and then was recalled from Italy. In 549 Totila advanced a third time against Rome, which he captured this time through the treachery of some of its starving defenders.