In this episode, we explore one of the most fascinating figures of late antiquity: Theodoric the Great, the king of the Ostrogoths, who became emperor of Italy. Often viewed as a "barbarian" by Roman standards, Theodoric's reign marked a unique moment in history when a so-called barbarian leader ruled over the remnants of the Roman Empire. But was Theodoric truly a "barbarian," or was he a skilled ruler who bridged the gap between two worlds? We delve into his rise to power, the Ostrogothic kingdom, and how Theodoric shaped the fate of Italy in the early Middle Ages. Join us as we introduce Theodoric and the Ostrogoths, and challenge the traditional narrative of Rome’s fall.