Theodoric, also known as Theodoric the Great, was a king of the Ostrogoths who ruled from 493 to 526 AD. He is best known for establishing the Ostrogothic Kingdom in Italy after defeating the last Roman ruler, Odoacer. Theodoric aimed to create a stable and prosperous realm that blended Roman and Gothic cultures. Under Theodoric's reign, the kingdom experienced a period of relative peace and cultural flourishing. He promoted religious tolerance, allowing both Arian Christianity and Catholicism to coexist. Theodoric also invested in infrastructure, building roads and public buildings, which helped to revitalize the economy of Italy.