THEODORIC, king of the Ostrogoths (c. 454-526). Refer ring to the article GOTHS for a general statement of the position of this, the greatest ruler that the Gothic nation produced, we add here some details of a more personal kind. Theodoric was born about the year 454, and was the son of Theudemir, one of three brothers who reigned over the East Goths, at that time settled in Pannonia. The name of Theodoric's mother was Erelieva, and she is called the concubine of Theudemir. The Byzantine historians generally call him son of Walamir, apparently because the latter was the best known member of the royal fraternity. At the age of seven he was sent as a hostage to the court of Constantinople, and there spent ten years of his life. Soon after his return to his father he secretly attacked the king of the Sarmatians, and wrested from him the important city of Singidunum (Belgrade). Theodoric took the chief part in an expedition into Moesia and Macedonia, the result of which was to settle the Ostrogoths as foederati in the heart of the empire. About 474 Theudemir died, and for the four teen following years Theodoric was chiefly engaged in a series of profitless wars, partly against the emperor Zeno, but partly against a rival Gothic chieftain, another Theodoric, son of Triarius. In 488 he set out, with the sanction of the emperor, to win Italy from Odoacer. The invasion and conquest of Italy occupied more than four years (488-493). Theodoric, who marched round the head of the Venetian Gulf, had to fight a fierce battle with the Gepidae, probably in the valley of the Save. At the Sontius (Isonzo) he found his passage barred by Odoacer, over whom he gained a complete victory (28th of August A yet more decisive victory followed on the 3oth September at Verona. Odoacer fled to Ravenna, and it seemed as if the conquest of Italy was complete. At length (26th of February 493) the long and severe blockade of Ravenna was ended by a capitulation, the terms of which Theodoric disgracefully violated by slaying Odoacer with his own hand (15th of March 493). (See ODoAcER.)
The thirty-three years' reign of Theodoric was a time of un exampled happiness for Italy. Unbroken peace reigned within her borders (with the exception of a trifling raid made by Byzan tine corsairs in 5o8). The venality of the Roman officials and the turbulence of the Gothic nobles were sternly repressed. Marshes were drained, harbours formed, the burden of the taxes lightened, and the state of agriculture so much improved that Italy, from a corn-importing, became a corn-exporting country. Moreover Theodoric, though adhering to the Arian creed of his forefathers, was .during the greater part of his reign conspicuously impartial in religious matters. At the time of the contested papal election between Symmachus and Laurentius (496-502), Theodoric's mediation was welcomed by both contending parties. Unfortu nately, at the very close of his reign (524), the emperor Justin's persecution of the Arians led him into a policy of reprisals. He forced Pope John to undertake a mission to Constantinople to plead for toleration, and on his return threw him into prison, where he died. Above all, he sullied his fame by the execution of Boetius and Symmachus. (See BoETrus). Theodoric's death, which is said to have been hastened by remorse for the execution of Symmachus, occurred on the 3oth of August 526. He was buried in the mausoleum which is still one of the marvels of Ravenna (q.v.), and his grandson Athalaric, a boy of ten years, succeeded him, under the regency of his mother Amalasuntha.