Aligern

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Aligern, also called Aligernus, was an Ostrogothic military leader active during the Gothic War (535–554). By the end of the war he had joined the Byzantine army. Our main sources about him are Procopius and Agathias.

Biography:
- He was likely the son of Fredigernus (Fritigern) and the younger brother of Teia, who was king of the Ostrogoths (r. 552–553). Some early writers called him Totila’s brother, but most historians trust Agathias more.
- He is first mentioned in 552 by Procopius, unnamed. Totila made him co-commander of the city of Cumae with Herodianus; what happened to Herodianus is unknown.
- He defended Cumae around 552–554, helped by the city’s strong position and supplies. During a Byzantine siege he killed Palladius.
- When the Franks invaded Italy, Aligern surrendered Cumae in late 553 or early 554. He then went to Narses, the Byzantine commander, to hand over the keys.
- Narses sent him to Cesena to meet the Franks; his attempt to stop them from advancing on Cumae failed.
- In October 554 he fought for the Byzantines at the Battle of the Volturnus, which the Byzantines won. Nothing more is known about him after that.