Ostrogoths facts for kids

Mosaic depicting the palace of Theodoric the Great in his palace chapel of San Apollinare Nuovo

The Ostrogoths were a powerful group of people from a larger family called the Goths. They were known as the "Eastern Goths." Another big group of Goths was the Visigoths, or "Western Goths."

The Ostrogoths first came from a group called the Greutungi. These people moved south from the area around the Baltic Sea between the 200s and 300s AD.

Who Were the Ostrogoths?

The Ostrogoths were a Germanic people. They were part of the Goths, who were a very important group in ancient Europe. The Goths split into two main branches: the Ostrogoths (Eastern Goths) and the Visigoths (Western Goths). Both groups played a big role in the history of the Roman Empire.

Their Early Empire

Before they settled in Italy, the Ostrogoths built a large empire. This empire stretched from the Black Sea all the way to the Baltic Sea. They often traded with the mighty Roman Empire. Their kingdom was strongest under a king named Ermanaric. He was a famous leader who ruled over many different tribes.

A New Kingdom in Italy

After the Western Roman Empire became weaker and eventually fell, the Ostrogoths found a new home. They created a new kingdom in northern Italy. Their main city and capital was Ravenna. This kingdom became very important in the history of Italy and Europe.

Images for kids

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  Ostrogothic bow-fibulae (c. 500) from Emilia-Romagna, Italy

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  Map of the Gothic migrations and kingdoms

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  Routes taken by Germanic invaders during the Migration Period

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  Barbarian kingdoms and tribes after the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476

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  Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy

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  Coin of Theodahad (534-536), minted in Rome – he wears the barbaric moustache.

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  Ostrogoth ear jewels, Metropolitan Museum of Art

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  Possible map of Scandza based on Jordanes' work

See also

In Spanish: Pueblo ostrogodo para niños