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Theodoric 455 - 526 King of the Ostrogoths |
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As conqueror of Italy Theodoric the Great was the second Barbarian
to rule as king in Italy after the fall of the Roman empire.
Theodoric was a Ostrogothic chieftain who led his people into Bulgaria, and threatened to move to Constantinople. The emperor of the Eastern Roman empire hastily appointed Theodoric king of Italy in order to divert the Ostrogoths from invading the Eastern empire. Italy at that time was ruled by Odoacer. Odoacer was the Germanic commander of the Roman army who had deposed the last Roman emperor in the West. Theodoric invaded Italy in 489, forcing Odoacer to take refuge in Ravenna. The city surrendered in 493; Theodoric invited Odoacer to a banquet and there killed him.
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www link : Biography |