THEODOBET. 196 THEODOSITJS. to the Alexandrian. He was rational rather than mystical in his theology, and historical rather than allegorical in his biblical interpretation. He entered the monastic life at Apamea, and was loth to leave his nionasterj' when made Bishop of Cyrus in Syria (423). Theodoret achieved great success in winning back to orthodoxy the survivors of the ancient Marcionites (see Mar- cion), and in suppressing the use of Tatian's Diatessaron, a compilation of the Gospels which had long been current in Syria. (See Tatian.) His connection with the cause of Nestorius (q.v. ), which began in his youth, continued until near the close of his life. He stoutly opposed Nestorius's condemnation at Ephesus (431), and denounced the famous 'Anathemas' of Cyril, which had been launched against Nestorius shorth' before. His own orthodoxy was seriously questioned, and the 'Robber Synod' ( 449 ; see Ephesus, Councils of) deposed him from his see, only, however, to be reinstated by the Council of Chalcedon, two years later. Under great pres- sure by the Council of Chalcedon, Theodoret was finally prevailed upon to anathematize Nestorius, but he did it with the utmost reluctance, and it is doubtful whether his real opinion was ever changed. About 200 of his letters survive, giv- ing valuable information on the events of his age. Most important perhaps of all his works is the Ecclesiastical History, written in continuation of Eusebius, and bringing the narrative down to 428. His Worksi have been several times edited, e.g. by Schultze (Halle, 1769-74), and Migne, Patrologia Grwca. Ixxx.-lxxxiv. An English translation of the History, Dialogues, and se- lected Letters, with valuable prolegomena, is given in The Nicene Fathers^ edited by Schaff and Wace, second series, vol. iii. (New York, 1892). Consult: Harnack, History of Dogma, vol. iv. (London, 1898); Bright, Age of the Fathers (ib.. 1903) ; Schubert-Moeller, Lehr- huch der Kircheiigeschichte (Tubingen, 1902). THEOD'OEIC I., King of the Visigoths (419- 51). See GoTiis. THEODORIC (Lat. Theodoricus) , sumamed the Great (c.454-526) . The founder of the Ostro- gothic Kingdom in Italy. He was born on the banks of the Neusiedler See, in Pannonia. His father, Theudemir, was one of the three brothers who on the death of Attila (a.d. 453) freed their nation from the yoke of the Huns, and being the representatives of the royal line of the Amali, exercised a united sovereignty over it. In his eighth year Theodoric was sent as a hostage to the Eastern Emperor and was trained in all kinds of athletic and martial exercises. He returned to his people about 473 and in 474 succeeded his father as head of the nation. In tile previous year the Ostrogoths had obtained parts of Mcesia and Dacia, as settlements, from the Emperor Zeno. For the next thirteen years Theodoric was frequently engaged in strife, some- times against the Empire, sometimes in its ser- vice. In 484 he was made consul ; in 478 he rav- aged Thrace. The Emperor, to free himself from Theodoric, gave him permission to invade Italy, a suggestion gladly adopted by the warlike mon- arch, who began his march in 488. and arrived in the summer of 489 on the frontiers of Italy. Odoaeer (q.v.). King of Italy, the first of the Germanic rulers of that country, was both fore- warned and forearmed; and a desperate battle was fought near Aquileia (August 28, 489), the result of which was decidedly to the advantage of the Ostrogoths. A second and more dis- astrous defeat was inflicted on Odoaeer near V'erona (September 27th), after which he took refuge in Ravenna; but having again gathereil a large force, he was totally routed a third time on the banks of the Adda (August, 490), and again blockaded in Ravenna, while the whole of Italy was being subdued; and having at last surren- dered, was treacherously nuirdered (March. 493). Theodoric now assumed the title of King of Italy, resisted the claim of suzerainty preferred by the Eastern Emperor, and with the exception of a victorious campaign against the Franks, to compel them to cease their assaults on the Visi- gothic dominions, the suppression of a rebellion in Spain against the authority of the infant monarch, his own grandson Amalric (during whose minority Theodoric administered also the government of the Visigothic kingdom), and an expedition against the robber hordes of the Bul- garians, the whole of his long reign was devoted to the consolidation and development of his new kingdom. His followers received only one-third of the conquered country; the rest was legally secured to the rightful possessors. He made Ra- venna his capital, occasionally, when his northern frontier was threatened, removing to Verona. Theodoric showed no desire of further eon- quest; cultivated the friendship and esteem of the surrounding nations: ruled all classes of his subjects with irresistible authority, but with cor- responding justice and moderation; zealously pro- moted agriculture and commerce; and, himself an Arian, exhibited a tolerance of all other sects which was then almost unknown. The one great error of his administration consisted in his wholly neglecting to assimilate his Ostrogothic subjects with the previous inhabitants, either by a com- mon code of laws or bv common official prefer- ment. Theodoric left no son ; but his daughter, Amalasuntha (q.v.), succeeded him as regent for her son, Athalaric. Theodoric became a hero of many Germanic legends under the name of Dietrich of Bern. Among the men who held office under Theodoric were Boethius and Cassi- odorus. The former, who had incurred the suspicions of the monarch toward the close of his reign, was -unjustly put to death. Consult: Hodgkin, Theodoric the Oath (London and New York, 1893) ; Gibbon, Decline and Fall, vol. iv., ed. by Bury (London and New York, 1898) ; Hodgkin, Italy and Her Invaders, vol. iii. (Ox- ford, 1885) : Dahn. Die Konige der Germanen, part iii. (Wiirzburg, 1866). THEODORIC, TOMB OF. A structure near Ravenna, Italy, erected about 530 as a mauso- leum by Theodoric's daughter. It is now the Church of Santa Maria della Rotonda. The edi- fice rests on a substructure of ten arches and has a flat dome, 36 feet in diameter, formed of a single block, reputed to weigh 470 tons. THEODOSIA, the'6-do'shi-d, or FEODOSIA. A seaport of the Crimea. See Kaffa. THEODOSIUS, the'6-d6'shi-us. The name of three Roman emperors. — Theodosius I., sur- named the Gbeat, Emperor from 379 to 395, was of Spanish descent, and was born either at Italica, or more probably at Cauca, near Segovia, about A.D. 346. His father, also named Theodosius, was the great general of
