Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 November 1893 — HIS TOMB ALONE REMAINS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HIS TOMB ALONE REMAINS.

A.ll that Is Left of the Great Barbarian Baler, Theodoric. At the city of Ravenna, Italy, still stands the tomb of Theodoric, surnamed the Great, and founder of the Ostrogothic monarchy, which com-

prised Italy, Sicily, south-eastern France, Rhaepia, Noricum, Pannonia and Dalmatia. In 488 Theodoric set out with a huge army from Pannonia to carve out a kingdom for himself in Italy. Odoacer was the reigning monarch of Italy, but he could not maintain his own against the hardy and warlike Ostrogoths, and finally be was forced to surrender in the city of Ravenna. Ultimately he was put to death and Theodoric assumed the title of King. Under Theodoric Italy prospered, and the royal court became the center of learning and politeness. Through well-advised alliances Theodoric held in check the barbarians of Western Europe. Though an uneducated barbarian he ruled his subjects justly and promoted agriculture and commerce until Italy became again the leading nation of the world. Toward the end of his reign he persecuted the Catholics for their cruel treatment in the East of the Arians, to which sect he belonged. The greatest blot upon his name was the putting to death of two eminent men—Boethius and Symmachus—whom he falsely believed had conspired against him. Theodoric died at Ravenna in 526, and was buried in a beautiful mausoleum. Subsequently, after the overthrow of Gothic authority in Italy, his ashes were scattered to the four winds of heaven. The mausoleum, however, remains, the sole link that connects us with the greatest of bar barians.

TOMB OF THEODORIC, RAVENNA.