Theodoric the Great

Theodoric the Great
   King of the Ostrogoths (q.v.) who administered Italy (q.v.) from 493-526. He spent 10 years of his youth as a hostage in Constantinople (q.v.), where he cultivated a high regard for classical culture and civilization. Despite this, he remained illiterate, forced to use a gold stencil to sign state documents. Zeno (q.v.) encouraged him to take the Ostrogoths to Italy (qq.v.) and overthrow Odoacer (q.v.), which he did (489-493). In 497 Anastasios I (q.v.) formally recognized Theodoric's status as a kind of imperial deputy. Theodoric left the civil administration of Italy (q.v.) alone, and he even encouraged writers like Boethius and Cassiodorus (q.v.). Boethius wrote his Consolation of Philosophy while in prison for alleged treason. Despite the fact that the Ostrogoths embraced Arianism (q.v.), Theodoric left alone the Orthodox population of Italy. In this and in most other respects he was among the most remarkable rulers of his age. His stone mausoleum in Ravenna (q.v.) recalls imperial mausolea of an earlier age. His other monuments in Ravenna include what are thought to be the ruins of his palace, a church (S. Apollinare Nuovo), and a baptistry, the latter two of which were intended for his Arian followers.

Historical Dictionary of Byzantium . .

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  • Theodoric the Great — Theodoric King of Ostrogoths Modified portrait of Theodoric in Basilica of Sant Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna. Spouse …   Wikipedia

  • Theodoric the Great — • King of the Ostrogoths Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Theodoric the Great     Theodoric the Great     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Theodoric the Great — (c. 451 or 453/454 526)    One of the greatest of the barbarian kings and the greatest of the Gothic kings, Theodoric the Great, or the Amal as he was originally known, reigned over the Ostrogoths from 471 to 526 and ruled an independent Gothic… …   Encyclopedia of Barbarian Europe

  • Legends about Theodoric the Great — Dietrich catches the dwarf Alfrich (1883), by Johannes Gehrts. The Gothic King Theodoric the Great was remembered in Germanic legend as Dietrich von Bern (Bern is the Middle High German name for Verona, where Theodoric had one of his residences) …   Wikipedia

  • List of people known as The Great — This is a list of people whose names in English are commonly appended with the phrase the Great , or who were called that or an equivalent phrase in their own language. Other languages have their own suffixes such as e Bozorg and e azam in… …   Wikipedia

  • Theodoric Strabo — [Also known as Theodoricus, Theodericus, and Theoderic Strabo. Strabo ( squinter ) was a word by the Romans for anyone whose eyes were distorted or crooked.] (d. 481) was an Ostrogoth chieftain who was involved in the politics of the Byzantine… …   Wikipedia

  • Theodoric — Gender Male Language(s) Germanic Origin Meaning Ruler of the people Region of origin Northern Europe …   Wikipedia

  • Theodoric — /thee od euh rik/, n. A.D. 454? 526, king of the Ostrogoths and founder of the Ostrogothic monarchy in Italy: ruler of Italy 493 526. * * * known as Theodoric the Great born 454 died Aug. 30, 526 King of the Ostrogoths and founder of the… …   Universalium

  • great — greatness, n. /grayt/, adj., greater, greatest, adv., n., pl. greats, (esp. collectively) great, interj. adj. 1. unusually or comparatively large in size or dimensions: A great fire destroyed nearly half the city …   Universalium

  • Theodoric — /θiˈɒdərɪk/ (say thee oduhrik) noun ( Theodoric the Great ), c. AD 454–526, king of the Ostrogoths, who conquered Italy in 493 and ruled it until his death …  

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