Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

"This scoundrel does not even have a bone in his body" ~ Theodoric becomes king of Italy
Gloria Romanorum ^ | 3/4/18 | Florentius

Posted on 03/05/2019 9:56:14 AM PST by Antoninus

On March 5 in AD 493, Theodoric the Ostrogoth entered Ravenna, having forced Odoacar the Scirian, who had ruled Italy as rex for 17 years, to agree to joint rule. This agreement ended the war between them which had been ongoing for nearly four years.

Odoacar had deposed the last Western Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, in AD 476 and had ruled Italy himself since then. Attempts by the Eastern Roman emperor Zeno to get Odoacar to recognize even the appearance of Roman suzerainty over Italy were continually rebuffed.

In 489, when faced with a dangerous Ostrogothic horde outside the walls of Constantinople under the command of Theodoric the Amal, Zeno made a virtue out of necessity by offering Theodoric the rule of Italy if he could wrest it from Odoacar. Theodoric accepted the challenge and invaded Italy. He defeated Odoacar in a series of battles, eventually concluding a treaty on February 25 in AD 493 which officially ceded Ravenna, the capital of the Western Empire, to Theodoric and allowed for joint rule of Italy between Odoacar and Theodoric. Theodoric officially entered Ravenna on March 5. This arrangement, however, did not endure for long. Following is an ancient account of what happened next:

Theodoric and Odoacer made an agreement with each other to the effect that they both should rule over the Roman empire and they used to meet with each other quite often thereafter. The tenth day had not yet passed when, while Odoacer was visiting Theodoric, two of Theodoric’s men approached Odoacer as suppliants and grasped both his hands; at once those who were lying in ambush in the small chambers on either side rushed upon him with drawn swords, but, terrified at the sight, they did not attack him, and so Theodoric leaped forward and struck him on the collar bone with his sword, while Odoacer cried out, “Where is God?”

Theodoric replied, “This is what you have done to my people.”

The blow was mortal for it pierced Odoacer’s body through to the lower part of the back, and Theodoric is reported to have said, “This scoundrel does not even have a bone in his body.” [Taken from the Chronicle of John of Antioch, p. 445]
Theodoric and his henchmen then went about systematically murdering all of Odoacer’s family. With Odoacer and all other potential claimants to the throne of Italy slain, Theodoric took the title of king for himself, and ruled Italy in his own right for nearly 40 years, though nominally as viceroy under the suzerainty of the Eastern Roman Empire. He became known to history as Theodoric the Great and was considered an enlightened monarch by many of his Roman subjects.

Posts related to the reign of Theodoric and the fall of the Western Empire:

• “You Have Cut Off Your Right Hand with Your Left” ~ The Assassination of Flavius Aetius
• March 16 ~ Anniversary of the Assassination of Valentinian III in AD 455
• January 9, AD 475 ~ Beginning of the disastrous reign of Basiliscus as Eastern Roman Emperor
• The Battle of Soissons (AD 486) ~ The final fall of Roman power in Gaul
• Pope Saint John I ~ A political martyr of the 6th century AD


TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: byzantineempire; constantinople; godsgravesglyphs; italy; lateantiquity; odoacer; odovacar; odovakar; ostrogoths; ravenna; romanempire; sciri; scirian; theodoric; theodoricthegreat; westernempire; zeno
On this day in history, 1,526 years ago.
1 posted on 03/05/2019 9:56:14 AM PST by Antoninus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

Ping.


2 posted on 03/05/2019 10:02:47 AM PST by Antoninus ("In Washington, swamp drain you.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Antoninus
On March 5 in AD 493, Theodoric the Ostrogoth entered Ravenna

Are they certain it was not Theodoric of York, Medieval Barber???


3 posted on 03/05/2019 10:20:08 AM PST by rjsimmon (The Tree of Liberty Thirsts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Antoninus
Brian Williams was there, and saw it all.


4 posted on 03/05/2019 12:03:10 PM PST by Leaning Right (I have already previewed or do not wish to preview this composition.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Leaning Right

I think he still has blood on his lapel from the incident. LOL.


5 posted on 03/05/2019 12:57:11 PM PST by Antoninus ("In Washington, swamp drain you.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

The Mystery of Theoderic’s Tomb Solved!
By Harry Rand
https://members.bib-arch.org/archaeology-odyssey/6/6/3
https://members.bib-arch.org/sites/default/files/styles/xlarge/public/bsao060604600l.jpg?itok=sQw33z6X


6 posted on 03/05/2019 8:29:43 PM PST by SunkenCiv (and btw -- https://www.gofundme.com/for-rotator-cuff-repair-surgery)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; 1ofmanyfree; 21twelve; 24Karet; 2ndDivisionVet; 31R1O; ...
Thanks Antoninus.

7 posted on 03/05/2019 10:08:58 PM PST by SunkenCiv (and btw -- https://www.gofundme.com/for-rotator-cuff-repair-surgery)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv
The Tomb shows the period of classical Roman architecture has ended. Its Gothic style foreshadows the Romanesque. I've not heard of a connection, but the octagonal style (exterior, anyway) and round arches remind me of the original octagonal Carolingian chapel in Aachen.

Of course, it could have been built by aliens. I mean, what's with that saucer dome on top?

8 posted on 03/06/2019 12:26:23 PM PST by colorado tanker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: colorado tanker

300 ton capstone, and it was quarried in Croatia. The Roman-era skills were obviously still around.


9 posted on 03/06/2019 7:33:28 PM PST by SunkenCiv (and btw -- https://www.gofundme.com/for-rotator-cuff-repair-surgery)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson