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During the fifth century AD, in the context of a progressively multipolar world in the Western Empire, some women–as wife, mother, or sister of Roman or barbarian sovereigns–found themselves at the center of the diplomatic activity, both as a means and a stake, but also as a key player. Mixed marriages were as such concluded in order to secure a treaty or an alliance. Women thus became the first victims of the possible diplomatic failures of their husbands or families by marriage, or even of their own families. However, some of these women sovereigns also took an active part in diplomacy by the side of the rightful holder of power, though always unofficially. In such cases, exercising an unofficial diplomatic activity was first and foremost a way for them of securing their influence at court. Finally, during their respective regency, Galla Placidia and Amalasonthe were led to officially fulfill the diplomatic activity of the Western Roman Empire and the Ostrogoth Kingdom respectively. However, they both had to adopt a strategy of staying in the shadows of male figures because of their gender.