Theodoric, who has by the late 480s become leader of the most dominant Gothic force, finds himself leading his people into Italy against Odoacer.

There is much debate as to whether this was ordered by the Emperor Zeno or whether it was Theodoric’s own decision; primary sources conflict on this score.

In any case, Theodoric and his Goths march on Italy in 489 and wage war on Odoacer.

Theodoric’s forces quickly force Odoacer to flee to Ravenna and in short succession they captured both Verona and Milan.

In Milan, both secular and ecclesiastical leaders, as well as Odoacer’s commander-in-chief Tufa—though he will later betray Theodoric—and many of the defeated troops who join Theodoric, welcome him into the city as a representative of the emperor.

With Odoacer back on the offensive in the summer of 490, Alaric II of the Visigoths, in a rare moment of Gothic solidarity, sends troops to aid Theodoric in his efforts to remove Odoacer from power.

Odoacer is forced to retreat once again into Ravenna, where Theodoric besieges him for two more years until Theodoric is finally able to gather the ships necessary to mount an effective blockade of Ravenna, which can only be effectively attacked from the sea.

Theodoric and Odoace finally reach a peace agreement in 493.

Negotiated by John, Bishop of Ravenna, it states that Theodoric and Odoacer are to both occupy Ravenna and jointly rule over Italy.

Odoacer is killed ten days later at a banquet held jointly with Theodoric.

From this point on, Theodoric becomes the undisputed king of Italy, establishing the Ostrogothic Kingdom, headed at Ravenna, that will last until 553.