Title: Theodahad :
Authors: Vitiello, Massimiliano,
Date: 2014
Publisher: University of Toronto Press,
Physical description: xvii, 333 pages ; 24 cm
Language: English
LC classification: D
Abstract: "Educated in Platonic philosophy rather than the military arts, the Ostrogothic king Theodahad was never meant to rule. His unexpected nomination as co-regent by his cousin Queen Amalasuintha plunged him into the intrigues of the Gothic court, and Theodahad soon conspired to assassinate the queen. But, once alone on the throne, his lack of political experience and military skill made him ineffective at best and dangerously incompetent at worst. Defeated by the Byzantine emperor Justinian, Theodahad was killed by his own subjects.
Contents: Machine generated contents note: 1.Towards a Biography of Theodahad -- 2.Theodahad between Procopius of Caesarea and Cassiodorus -- ch. One Theodahad the Man -- 1.Theodahad's Childhood and Early Education -- 2.Theodahad, the Education of the Gothic Youth and the Amal Family -- 3.Philosophy in the Education of Theodahad -- 4.Theodahad's Platonism and His Disinterest in War -- 5.Theodahad, Landowner of Etruria -- 6.An Anxious, Fearful, and Hesitant King -- ch. Two Theodahad the Noble -- 1.The Influence of Teachers from the Roman Schools on the Gothic Court -- 2.Theodahad and the Women of the Amal Family -- 3.Theoderic and Theodahad: Between the Roman and Gothic Worlds -- a.Theoderic and Roman Culture -- b.Theoderic and Royalty -- 4.Theodahad as Successor of Theoderic? -- 5.Theodahad and Theoderic: An Animosity Badly Hidden or Deliberately Flaunted? -- ch. Three Theodahad the Co-Regent -- 1.Athalaric's Death and Theodahad's Call to the Throne -- 2.The Co-Regency -- 3.The Path to Legitimation -- 4.A "Gothic philosopher" Is Introduced to the Kingdom -- 5.The Building of Consent -- 6.The Philosopher-King and the Representation of His Co-Regent -- 7.Theodahad, Boethius's Friends, and the Anician Family -- a.A Family Drama -- b.Two "Friends" of Boethius: Maximianus and Patricius -- c.Maximus: A Marriage to Save the Kingdom? -- ch. Four Theodahad the King -- 1.Ingratitude, Conspiracy, or Diplomatic Incident? -- 2.Theodahad, Justinian, and Theodora -- 3.Theodahad and Rome -- 4.Theodahad's Diplomatic Policy: The Embassies -- 5.Pope Agapetus's Embassy to Constantinople -- 6.Theodahad's "Adventus" and Sojourn in Rome -- 7.Theodahad and Religion -- 8.Theodahad between the Two Italies: The Body Politic Dismembered -- 9.Theodahad in War: Diplomatic Operations and Attempted Alliances -- a.The Desertion of His Son-in-Law -- b.Military Operations Conducted at a Distance -- c.Unsuccessful Attempts to Form Alliances -- d.Despair and the End of Hope -- ch. Five Theodahad, the End -- 1.Theodahad's Fall and Witiges's Coup -- 2.Legalize the Succession or Repair the Damages? Witiges and Justinian -- 3.The End of Rome's Liberty.
Subject headings (LCSH): Italy--History--476-774.; Italy--Kings and rulers--Biography.; Ostrogoths--Italy--History.; Ostrogoths--Kings and rulers--Biography.; Theodahad, King of the Ostrogoths, approximately 480-536.