Final answer:
Gothic governments preserved Roman practices through acculturation, blending Germanic and Roman traditions, Christian conversion, and the adoption of Roman bureaucratic strategies. Despite conflicts, they maintained fair rule and continuity of Roman culture, particularly in architecture with the shift from Romanesque to Gothic styles.
Step-by-step explanation:
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Gothic governments worked to preserve Roman government practices through a process of acculturation. This involved several key strategies, such as the conversion to Christianity to bridge cultural differences, the adoption of the bureaucratic organization and diplomacy from the Roman aristocracy and Christian Church, and the emergence of a new society as Roman influence eroded. Particularly in the successor kingdoms established by the Franks, Ostrogoths, and Visigoths, these forms of acculturation were evident. Despite the destruction caused by the conflict between the Byzantines and the Gothic kingdom of Italy, which did cripple the Italian economy, the Gothic governments still managed to rule fairly and maintained reasonable levels of taxation, thereby winning the support of most Italians.
Over time, the influence of Christianity continued to grow, and along with it, the centralization of imperial power and the bureaucratic system. This religious influence, especially in the eastern Mediterranean, contributed to the preservation and continuation of Roman cultural elements through the actions of the Christian Church. In parallel, the physical representation of the shift from Romanesque to Gothic architecture in the 12th century reflected the cultural changes occurring within these societies, with cathedrals built in the Gothic style displaying thinner walls with large windows, pointed arches, and flying buttresses, differing significantly from the earlier Romanesque style. This transition in architectural practices symbolizes the broader preservation and transformation of Roman legacy and governance by the Gothic powers.