Editing 554 (section)

==== Byzantine Empire ====
* [[August 13]] &ndash; Byzantine Emperor [[Justinian I]] issues [[Pragmatic Sanction of Justinian I|a pragmatic sanction]] reorganizing Italy, and rewards the praetorian prefect [[Liberius (praetorian prefect)|Liberius]] for over 60 years of distinguished service, granting him extensive [[Estate (land)|estate]]s in Italy.<ref>{{cite book|author-link=James J. O'Donnell|first=James|last=O'Donnell|title=Liberius|page=69}}</ref>
* [[August 15]] &ndash; The [[554 Anatolia earthquake]] takes place in the southwest coasts of [[Anatolia]] (Asia Minor). It affects the [[Güllük Gulf]] (Mandalya Gulf), and the island of [[Kos]].<ref name="Antonopoulos">Antonopoulos, 1980</ref>
* [[October]] &ndash; [[Battle of the Volturnus (554)|Battle of the Volturnus]]: In the spring Butilinus (Buccelin) has marched north; the Frankish army (infected by an [[epidemic]] of [[dysentery]] which kills their leader Leutharis (Lothair)) is reduced to about 30,000 men. The [[Byzantine army]], with 18,000 men (including a contingent of [[Goths]] under [[Aligern]]), marches south to meet them at [[Casilinum]] (on the banks of the [[Volturno|River Volturno]]). Byzantine eunuch general [[Narses]] sends a cavalry force under [[Chanaranges (Italy)|Chanaranges]] to destroy the supply wagons of the [[Franks]]. Outmanoeuvring Butilinus, he chooses a disposition similar to that at [[Battle of Taginae|Taginae]]. After a [[frontal assault]] on the Byzantine centre, the Franks and the [[Alamanni]] are annihilated, thus effectively ending the [[Gothic War (535–554)]]. Narses garrisons an army of 16,000 men in [[Italy]]. The recovery of the [[Italian Peninsula]] has cost the empire about 300,000 pounds of gold.<ref>{{cite book|author-link=John Julius Norwich|first=John Julius|last=Norwich|title=Byzantium: The Early Centuries|page=233}}</ref>