Totila (died 552 AD) was the penultimate King of the Ostrogoths in Italy. Elected king in 541 after the initial Byzantine conquests, he rallied the Goths and launched a stunning counteroffensive, reclaiming most of Italy and even sacking Rome twice.
He was known for his unexpected chivalry and ability to win over the Italian population, often contrasting himself with the heavy taxation of the Byzantine administration.
However, the arrival of the Byzantine general Narses changed the tide. At the Battle of Taginae in 552, Totila was decisively defeated and killed in combat, effectively ending the Ostrogothic resurgence.