ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses some basic sources as well as the most relevant recent scholarly discussions on the role of Arianism in Ostrogothic Italy. It argues that Ostrogothic Italy was the most conspicuously Roman of the successor states to the Western Roman Empire. At first, Theoderic's rule had a quasi-imperial style. After Gothic power was secured in Italy and all over the West, the language of power became more contained. Generally speaking religious differences had much less impact on Italian politics and society than in Africa or Spain. The Byzantine church historian Theodorus wrote around 518 that the ruler of Rome, Theuderichos, although an Arian was a close friend of the Catholic Church. Gelasius wrote several letters to Theoderic. According to Theodorus the king acted prudently and justly. For decades the elites in Constantinople accepted the Goths in Italy and so his mistaken belief could be ignored.
