Theodoric or Theoderic the Great, known in Germany as Dietrich von Bern c.455-526AD
King of the Ostrogoths

He founded the Ostrogothic monarchy. He became king (AD475) and was later permitted by Emperor Zeno to take Italy from Odoacer (493). His reign secured for Italy tranquillity and prosperity. The Goths and the Romans remained distinct but harmonious nations, and Catholics and Jews enjoyed full liberty and protection, although Theodoric was an Arian. His official letters show his great energy and enlightened zeal for his subjects' welfare. The judicial murders of Boethius and Symmachus, and acts of oppression against the Catholic Church, occurred during his last three years. To the Germans he is Dietrich von Bern, and one of the great heroes of legend, figuring in the Nibelungenlied ('Song of the Nibelungs').

Bibliography: Thomas Hodgkin, Theodoric the Goth (1900)