Political Goths

In this alternate history Theoderic the Great has a son who continues ruling the former Western Roman Empire as viceroy of the Eastern Roman Emporer until declaring independance. The empire he establishes falls a few centuries later, but its effect on politics is still seen in modern day.

Birth of Wistr
Theoderic the Great had a son named Theosunus, who he taught everything he needed to know about being a king. After his death in 526 A.D. his son Theosunus took over. After a brief period of rebellions for a year or so from the Visigoths and Osogoths he was able to successfully take control of them and named himself the King of Wistr (spelled today "Weaster" and translated to "the West"). At first Justinian I let this slide as he was busy with the Sassinads until 533 A.D. By this time Theosunus had secured his place as Kng of Wistr, conquered the Franks and the Vandals and secured his reign there, and had raised a significant army and had them trained according to the traditions of Rome. He prepared for the day when he was sure that Justinian would attack.

In 533 A.D. Justinian I attacked Carthage expecting to be take the people there by surprise had a harder time taking the city. The military leaders in the city were able to get word to Theosunus about the invasion shortly before Carthage fell. Theosunus was able to reach Carthage with most of his army (leaving but a small forces in different parts of his kingdom in order to prevent losing all of his kingdom should Justinian I attack) and promptly began attacking. After a year Justinian I and his army were destroyed, and Theosunus's army had won. He sent a letter to Theodora (who upon finding out that her husband was dead became regent for Justinian II) and asked for a treaty. She agreed and recognized to recognize the sovereingty of Wistr and agreed to not attack. The Byzantine Empire never had the strength to attempt another invasion of Wistr and as such Wistr became incredibly peaceful.

Latinization of Gothic
By the time of Theosunus's successor the Gothic people had become Romanized and took upon them their culture. Aqueducts were rebuilt, sanitation measures were reintroduced, and corruption was mitigated. The final blow to the culture of the Goths was the repealment of a law that prevented intermarriage followed by making Latin the official language. This made the common people entirely Roman. The people spoke Latin with few Gothic words actually being introduced except in the political realm as the King's family gave different positions names of Gothic origin. This resulted in Gothic words being associated with politics, a trait later seen in modern day Romance languages and English.