| Eraric | |
|---|---|
| King of the Ostrogoths | |
| Reign | c. May - c. October 541 |
| Predecessor | Ildibad |
| Successor | Totila |
| Died | c. October 541 |
Eraric, Heraric or Ariaric, the Rugian (died 541), was briefly King of the Ostrogoths.
Reign
He was elected as the most distinguished among the Rugians in the confederation of the Ostrogoths. The Goths were vexed at the presumption of the Rugians, but nevertheless they recognized Eraric.1 He summoned a council directed to convincing the confederation to make peace with the Eastern Roman emperor Justinian, under Roman suzerainty. The Ostrogoths opposed the truce under the negotiations, and they instead elected Ildibad's nephew Totila. Soon afterwards Eraric was killed by Totila's followers after a reign of five months from May to October.2
References
References
- History of the Later Roman Empire: From the Death of Theodosius I to the Death of Justinian, by J. B. Bury. Charles River Editors, 2018.
- The Age of Justinian: The Circumstances of Imperial Power, p. 151, by J. A. S. Evans. Routledge, 2002.
External links
External links
- History of the later Roman Empire from the death of Theodosius I ..., Volume 2 by John Bagnell Bury.