Theoderic by Ross Laidlaw

Throughout history there has run one thread that has motivated some of the most pivotal characters - the desire to be "one of us". Ross Laidlaw has charted the career of a man who sacrificed the chance to leave a legacy tha would have resounded through the centuries on the altar of just this desire. Taken to Constantinople as a hostage for the good behaviour of his father, the King of the Ostrogoths, Theoderic fell in love with all things Roman and devoted the major part of his life in a vain attempt to re-establish the Western Empire. His attainments were many but his one ambition, to be accepted as an equal by the Romans, would always be denied. To the Romans from the Patrician Senators to the labourers on the docks he would always be a barbarian, a realisation that would only break through a lifetime of wishful thinking when it was too late. He died embittered with his lifetimes work crumbling about him surrounded by Roman subjects who could not understand that by undermining him they had sabotaged their last chance to restore their fortunes. A tragic story very well told by Mr Laidlaw.