Amalasuntha facts for kids
Amalasuntha was a powerful queen of the Ostrogoths, a group of people known as Goths. She lived a long time ago, from about 495 to 534 or 535 AD. Amalasuntha was the daughter of Theodoric the Great, a famous king of Italy. She married a nobleman named Eutharic. They had a son named Athalaric in 518. Sadly, her husband died, and Amalasuntha raised her young son alone.
Amalasuntha was a very smart and well-educated woman. She learned to read and write in both Greek and Latin. She loved writing and art throughout her life. Her father, King Theodoric, made sure she received a Roman education. He wanted to create good relationships between the Goths and the Romans.
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Becoming Queen and Regent
Amalasuntha's husband, Eutharic, died in 522. Her father, King Theodoric, passed away in 526. After her father's death, Amalasuntha's young son, Athalaric, became king. Since Athalaric was still very young, Amalasuntha became the regent. This meant she ruled the kingdom for him until he was old enough.
Amalasuntha's Rule and Goals
Many people, including the historian Procopius, praised Amalasuntha for her bravery and knowledge as a regent. She worked hard to improve the connections between the Romans and the Goths. These relationships had become difficult during her father's later years.
Amalasuntha tried to fix past problems. For example, she returned lands that had been taken from a Roman political figure named Boethius. She also reached out to the Roman Senate and sent a letter to the emperor in Constantinople. She asked for forgiveness and made sure her son received a Roman education. All these actions were meant to get on the emperor's good side.
Improving Relations with Other Groups
Amalasuntha also tried to make peace with other groups of people, including the Gothic nobles. She worked to improve relations with the Burgundians, another Germanic group. However, this alliance eventually ended.
After her son Athalaric died, Amalasuntha faced a difficult time. She fought to keep control of the kingdom. Her efforts to work with the Romans gained her more support from them.
Images for kids
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Bust at the Capitoline Museums assumed to depict either Queen Amalasuintha or Empress Ariadne
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Consular diptych of Rufius Gennadius Probus Orestes, Victoria and Albert museum. Portraits of Amalasuintha and her son Athalaric are above the inscription, flanking the cross.
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See also
In Spanish: Amalasunta para niños
