with news of the massive preparations, produced an effect among the Goths in Italy, as well as the numerous Byzantine defectors in their ranks, some of whom sent messages promising to return to Byzantine allegiance upon his arrival. In addition, this marriage, which was endorsed by Emperor Justinian himself, marked Germanus out as the heir to both the East Roman and the Gothic realms. It was not to be, however: only two days before the army was to set out, in the early autumn of 550, he fell ill and died. His demise dashed any hopes for the reconciliation of Goth and Roman in Italy, and led to further years of bloodshed, until the peninsula was definitively conquered by the Byzantines. Germanus is given a very favourable treatment in the work of Procopius, he openly praises him for his virtue, justice, and generosity, as well as for his energy and ability both as a soldier and an administrator. Family Germanus had a brother named Boraides and perhaps also a brother named Justus. From his first marriage to a lady called Passara, he had two sons and a daughter: Justin, born probably in circa 525/530, became consul in 540 and general towards the end of Emperor Justinian's reign. Justinian, general. Justina, born in circa 527, who married in 545 the general John, nephew of the general and rebel Vitalian. From his later marriage to Matasuntha, he had a son, also called Germanus, born posthumously (late 550/early 551). Nothing further is known of him with certainty, although he can possibly be identified with the patricius Germanus, a leading senator in the reign of Emperor Maurice (r. 582–602) whose daughter married Maurice's eldest son Theodosius. Michael Whitby identifies the younger Germanus with Germanus, a son-in-law of Tiberius II Constantine and Ino Anastasia. References Sources Year of birth unknown 550 deaths Justinian dynasty Magistri militum 6th-century Byzantine people Generals of Justinian I Byzantine North Africa Anicii