the first mention of witteric in history was as a conspirator with sunna, the arian bishop of mérida, to reestablish arianism in 589. while sunna was sent into exile, it is unknown what happened to witteric. in the spring of 602, witteric was given command of the army with the job of expelling the byzantines. however, when it came time to do so in the spring of 603, witteric instead led his troops against king liuva ii, counting on the support of a faction of nobles in opposition to the dynasty of leovigild. he invaded the royal palace and deposed the young king. witteric cut off the king's right hand, and then had him condemned and executed in the summer of 603.