A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Amalasuntha
AMALASUNTHA, Daughter of Theodoric, King of the Goths, in Italy, and Wife of Eutharic, an Ostrogoth, afterwards of Theodotus, King of Italy. Died 534.
Not having any son, her father married her, in 515, to Eutharic, as he disliked subjecting his people to the dominion of a foreigner. She became a widow before the death of Theodoric, which happened in 526, and was left regent during the minority of her son Athalaric, then eight years old, of whom she undertook the tuition, gave him a Roman education, and endeavoured, in vain, to render him worthy of his situation. He profited nothing by her example and instruction, but gave himself up to luxury and dissipation, and died at the age of sixteen. Amalasuntha, by marriage, then raised her cousin, Theodotus, to the throne, who repaid her benefits with the blackest ingratitude; imprisoned, and then caused her to be put to death, or, as others say, strangled her with his own hands. The death of Amalasuntha was revenged by the emperor Justinian, who sent his general, Belisarius, against the murderer, and destroyed the power of the Goths in Italy.
Amalasuntha was a most enlightened and excellent princess; a protector of the arts and sciences. She not only possessed the qualities necessary to support an administration beneficial to the people; but also those that would contribute to make it brilliant and glorious to herself. She was well instructed in philosophy, knew perfectly the Greek and Latin, and spoke also the languages of the different people who composed the Roman empire.
Respect for the memory of her father had given Amalasuntha great authority with the Goths; and her intrinsic merit and personal accomplishments, made a nation, proud and delicate in point of honour, glory in obeying her. Her majestic exterior, announced the elevation of her soul. Her understanding was lively and penetrating, but firm and moderate; and her natural powers had been cultivated by a masculine and serious education. She spoke little, but her words were full of meaning. Active, yet always tranquil, she quietly terminated the most important affairs; and the impenetrable secresy she observed, gave her leisure to remove obstacles, and insure the success of her designs. Affable, liberal, faithful to her promises, she won the hearts of her admiring people. By her prudence she pacified the eastern emperor, who had been offended, and maintained concord between the Goths and Romans, whom she impartially governed; and, as long as Athalaric was guided by her counsels, happiness and prosperity reigned in his kingdom.
This princess lamented the cruel fate of the learned Boëtius, beheaded by her father. She expressed the utmost respect for his memory; and, to make all the atonement in her power, for the injuries he had sustained, she caused his statues, which had been thrown down at Rome, to be again erected; and all his possessions restored to his heirs.