After Theodahad’s death, the Goths elected Wittigis as their leader, who married Amalasuentha’s daughter Matasuentha to vindicate himself as an “Amali” ruler in the line of Theoderic, not by blood or dynasty but by his deeds. He tried to soothe Justinian by stating that his marriage to Matasuentha and Theodahad’s death removed Justinian’s reason for war, because the murder of Amalasuentha was now avenged.90 Nevertheless, Belisarius’ forces moved into Rome in December 536. After some battles, Wittigis