Eutharic

Eutharic Cilliga (Latin: Eutharicus Cillica) was an Ostrogothic prince from Iberia who, during the early 6th century, served as Roman Consul and "son in weapons" (filius per arma) alongside the Byzantine emperor Justin I.

[5] Eutharic grew up in Iberia (modern-day Spain) where he had a reputation for being "a young man strong in wisdom and valor and health of body".

[6][7] He was later to become the "son in arms" (filius per arma) to the Byzantine emperor Justin I, a role which indicated a part of his early life may have been spent as a soldier.

[8] Eutharic's status in both the Gothic and Roman world was elevated by the attentions of Theodoric the Great to whom he was related distantly through their mutual connection with Hermanric.

[10] By the late 5th century Theodoric was king of the Ostrogoths, ruling from Ravenna in Italy and a close ally of the Roman Emperor Zeno.

[6][14] More recent studies, however, suggest that Eutharic's Amali ancestry may have been a deliberate invention on the part of Theodoric to aid his ambitions of establishing dynastic credibility.

[16] Whilst Jordanes, in his history of the Goths, does make reference to Eutharic's prudentia et virtus, or pride and valour, this too may have been a fabrication on the part of Theodoric.

By granting him Roman citizenship, accepting him as co-consul and calling him a "son in arms", Emperor Justin I sought to restore ties with Theodoric, strained during the reign of Anastasius I Dicorus.

[21] It is reported that at the celebrations to mark the assumption there were "magnificent shows of wild beasts procured from Africa"[22] and that a visiting diplomat, the patricius Symmachus,[23] sent by the eastern Imperial court to Italy, was "amazed at the riches given to the Goths and the Romans".

[28] It is thought that the outrage expressed by the Catholics at this action was prompted by the perception that Eutharic symbolized the recent reconciliation between the Eastern and Western Churches brought about under the direction of Theodoric.

[32] Though he was made to swear fealty to Amalasuintha, Theodahad felt insecure and in December 534 had her imprisoned on an island in Lake Bolsena where she was eventually murdered on 30 April 535.