Waiting for the Barbarians. The Frontiers of the Ostrogothic Kingdom during the Reign of Theoderic

Several letters written by Cassiodorus deal with Ostrogothic borders, describing the forts that guarded the Alpine passes, discussing the administration of frontier areas or lingering on virtues and vices of the people who inhabited them. The evidence provided by the Variae indicates that frontiers were a crucial part of the Ostrogothic Kingdom, not only because they were the gates of Italy and had to be garrisoned to prevent hostile incursions, but also because they became a cornerstones of Theoderic's political communication, stressing the difference between ‘Romanized’ Goths and the savage tribes who lived beyond the Alps.