[54] See page 140. [55] See the illustration, page 220. [56] See the illustration, page 203. [57] See the illustration, page 202. [58] See the illustration, page 286. [59] See the illustration, page 236. [60] See the illustration, page 201. [61] See the plate facing page 198. [62] See page 146. [63] See page 177. CHAPTER XIII WESTERN EUROPE DURING THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES, 476-962 A.D. [1] 102. THE OSTROGOTHS IN ITALY, 488-553 A.D. TRANSITION TO THE MIDDLE AGES We are not to suppose that the settlement of Germans within the Roman Empire ended with the deposition of Romulus Augustulus, near the close of the fifth century. The following centuries witnessed fresh invasions and the establishment of new Germanic states. The study of these troubled times leads us from the classical world to the world of medieval Europe, from the history of antiquity to the history of the Middle Ages. THE OSTROGOTHS UNDER THEODORIC The kingdom which Odoacer established on Italian soil did not long endure. It was soon overthrown by the Ostrogoths. At the time of the "fall" of Rome in 476 A.D. they occupied a district south of the middle Danube, which the government at Constantinople had hired them to defend. The Ostrogoths proved to be expensive and dangerous allies. When, therefore, their chieftain, Theodoric, offered to lead his people into Italy and against Odoacer, the Roman emperor gladly sanctioned the undertaking. OSTROGOTHIC INVASION OF ITALY, 488-493 A.D. Theodoric led the Ostrogoths--women and children as well as warriors-- across the Alps and came down to meet Odoacer and his soldiers in battle. After suffering several defeats, Odoacer shut himself up in the strong fortress of Ravenna. Theodoric could not capture the place and at last agreed to share with Odoacer the government of Italy, if the latter would surrender. The agreement was never carried into effect. When Theodoric entered Ravenna, he invited Odoacer to a great feast and at its conclusion slew him in cold blood. Theodoric had now no rival in Italy. THEODORIC KING OF ITALY, 493-526 A.D. Though Theodoric gained the throne by violence and treachery, he soon showed himself to be, as a ruler, wise, broad-minded, and humane. He had lived as a youth in the imperial court at Constantinople and there had become well acquainted with Roman ideas of law and order. Roman civilization impressed him; and he wished not to destroy but to preserve it. Theodoric reigned in Italy for thirty-three years, and during this time the country enjoyed unbroken peace and prosperity. [Illustration: TOMB OF THEODORIC AT RAVENNA A two storied marble building erected by Theodoric in imitation of a Roman tomb. The roof is a single block of marble 33 feet in diameter and weighing more than 300 tons. Theodoric's body was subsequently removed from its resting place, and the mausoleum was converted into a church.] THEODORIC'S RULE IN ITALY.