The Ostrogothic Kingdom was a Germanic state established in Italy during the late 5th century. It emerged after the fall of the Western Roman Empire and was founded by the Ostrogoths, a branch of the Goths. The kingdom reached its height under the rule of King Theodoric the Great, who sought to maintain Roman traditions while integrating Gothic culture. The Ostrogothic Kingdom lasted until the mid-6th century when it fell to the Byzantine Empire during the Gothic War. The conflict was marked by significant battles and shifting alliances, ultimately leading to the kingdom's dissolution and the re-establishment of Byzantine control over Italy.