The sun., 1891-07-05

| sphere must include this indispensable book
| among its treasures.
| Theodoric.
Tho fourth volume In tho Heroes OF the
| Nations" series. now in course OF publication
| by the Putnnms is allotted 10 "Theodoric Tie
Ostroooth." the barbarian champion of clviliza-
| tion. The author. Mr. THOMAS HoDaKIN. is
particularly qualified to discuss the subject.
being favorably known to students Of tho
fourth. nth. and sixth centuries Of our era by
his work entitled Italy and Her Invaders"
II there is any part Of Gibbons narrative
which needs revision and expansion in the
light Of later researches and discoveries. It is
that covering the period Of which Theodoric is
the most illustrious figure. 1t is by q study Of
this per cd that one comes to understand the
processes and agencies whereby the Roman
civilization instead OF being submerged and
extinguished as 1t would have been
by the triumph Of Attila-was preserved
and transmitted to medieval and modern
times. Had tho Huns conquered on the Cata-
launian plains it is probable that succession
ofZenghis Khans ana Tamerlanes would have
swept over tho desoatad plains OF Europe:
that Paris and Florence would have been as
Khivs and Bokhara are now. and that the out
lying island OF Britain might not have evon
yet attained the deRroe OF civilization pre-
sented by the peninsula OF Corea On the
other hand. the Teutonic invaders Of the Ro-
man empire were not bnrbarinns In the proper
sense OF the term. They had already by long
contact as-imlated Roman culture to greater
or less extent. the Goths most conspicuously.
the Vandals and the Franks least sensibly:
and they wore accordingly adapted and dis
posed to hand down. rather than put out. the
civiiziEg torch. From this point OF view. how
ever. there were.we repeat. marked differences
between the tribes that established Kingdoms
In western Europe. and never p rhaps. have
the personal conduct and the example OF rulers
had deeper and moro lasting influence
upon the welfare Of great masses Of men. 1t
was fortunate for the world that during the
critical half century which followed the de-
thronement OF the last Emperor OF the West.
Italy and its nearest dependencies should
have boon governed by the Gothic Theodoric
instead Of the Vandal Genseric. Nor among
the minor incidents which had far reaching
consequences should one omit to note the fact
that Theodoric in his youth was brought up as
hostage at the court Of Constantinope and
there inhaled. 80 to speak. love OF law and
order and Of highly civilized environment.
Like Napoleon. and unlike Cnsar and Charlie
maggie. he founded no durable dynasty or
abiding scheme OF government. but. like all
three OF them. he was The organizer and chief
agent in an indispensable process OF adapta- |
tion and transition.
In what legal capacity did Theodoric rule |
over Italy and it's nearest dependenc,es? This |
is ono OF the points upon which much light has |
been thrown during tho present century. al- !
though positive averment cannot even yet be |
made The general truth. however. may be |
said 10 be established that from the deposition
- A.,z,, to- A N y
Charles the Great as Emperor, in Rome. A. D.
300. the Emperor at Constantinople was. by /
legal fiction. supposed to exercise certain
rights Of overlordship in oil the Teutonic king
doms OF the wost According as a Teutonio
monarch was strong or weak. there would be
more or less OF substance In his recognition of
the claims Of tho Byzantine suzerain. Mover.
theless. even Theodorio. who was by far the
most powerful ruler OF his dav In western
Europe made some unmistakabIe demonstra.
tions Of vassaage 9nd refrained from eer.
tain acts OF sovereignty. 1t is to be
noted that in 4S9. when Theodoric under
took to overthrow Odoacer tor Odovacar.
as Mr. Hodgkin prefers 10 call him
hs did so avowedy as lieutenant OF the En-
peror Zeno and the terms Of his compact inn
piled that he was only TO rule in Italy until the
Emperor himself should arrive 10 claim the
supremacy. When Zeno was succeeded by
Anastasus. this compact was broken by Theo-
doric. who had himself crowned at Ravennn
after tho death of Odoacer. 1t was not until
497 that Anastasius ratified this assumption
OF yaty under conditions whose nature must
he inferred from the subsequent attitude OF
Theodorio. 1t is to be observed. for instance.
that he did not himself coin gold or silver
money with his efflgy; all the gold and silver
pieces current In Italy during his reign bore
the head OF the Emperor at Constantinople.
Again. when Theodoric appointed Consuls. he
sent their names to Cons,antinople. an act
which seems to imply request for ratiflcn-
tion OF the appointment. SO also the accession
OF Theodoric's descendants to the throne
was. when occasion arose. notified to the
Emperor then rtignlnG. The Ostrogothic King
submitted to other limitations upon his exer-
cise OF royal power. which. 1t is reasonable TO
assume. were sLecined in the fundamental
compact between him and the Emperor.
Among such limitations were tho employment
OF men Of Roman birth by prefer ence in all tho
great Offices OF the State. absolute impartiallty
between tho rival cieeds. Catholic and Arian
Theodore himself was follower Of
Ariusl and. lastly. tho reiraining. as far MS
possible. from all fresh legislation which might
modify tho rights and duties OF the Roman in
ab.tants OF Italy.
Although Mr.. Hodgkin is the highest nu-
thorty with regard to the half century follow
Ing the deposition OF Augusulus. he is unable
TO say with certainty. by what title Thso-
dorio was known. 1t Is clear enough that he
never claimed to be Emperor OF the West
There are also grave reasons for doubling
whether he ever called himself King OF Italy.
titles OF the kind were uncommon
among the Teutonic rulers. To Mr.. Hodakin
It seems most probable that Theodorio's full
official title was King OF the Goths and
RomRnsin Italy" or course. lie would need
no IMPERIAL sanction of the appollation king
os the Goths." but he would require
Il for the inclusion OF the important
words "and Eonans" In his legal
designation. 1t Is suggested that a
parallel drawn from modern history may help
us to understand the obscure relations be-