Theodoric, 1500 years after his death
A series of meetings to rediscover the ruler who left his mark on Ravenna
2026 marks the 1500th anniversary of the death of Theodoric the Great, a central figure in the history of Ravenna and the construction of its monumental and cultural identity.
To mark the occasion, the Department of Cultural Heritage of Ravenna at the University of Bologna is promoting a series of conferences dedicated to exploring the role of the Ostrogothic ruler through the eyes of scholars from the University.
The initiative is the result of collaboration between the Department, the Classense Library, Casa Matha, MAR, and the National Museums of Ravenna.
The series offers an accessible and multidisciplinary approach to reinterpreting the figure of Theodoric in his historical, political, and artistic context, highlighting his legacy and influence on the city that was the capital of his kingdom.
It is an opportunity to explore, fifteen centuries later, one of the most decisive figures in the history of Ravenna.
Calendar of events
All events take place at 5:00 p.m. Admission is free until capacity is reached.
February 25, 2026
Al banchetto di Teoderico
Speaker: Isabella Baldini
Venue: Musei Nazionali di Ravenna – Sala Conferenze (I piano)
March 25, 2026
Re Teoderico, la Chiesa romana e la convivenza tra cattolici e ariani
Speaker: Stefano Manganaro
Venue: Musei Nazionali di Ravenna – Sala Conferenze (I piano)
April 29, 2026
Audofleda, Amalasunta e Matasunta. Donne, potere e identità
Speaker: Beatrice Girotti
Venue: MAR – Museo d’Arte della Città di Ravenna – Sala Martini
6 May, 2026
Dieci manoscritti che raccontano la storia d’Italia al tempo di Teoderico
Speaker: Massimiliano Bassetti
Venue: Biblioteca Classense – Sala Muratori
June 10, 2026
Teoderico e Roma: la città e i valori della romanità
Speaker: Valerio Neri
Venue: Biblioteca Classense – Sala Muratori
October 7, 2026
Linguaggi visivi e immaginario nell’età di Teoderico
Speaker: Maria Cristina Carile
Venue: Mausoleo di Teodorico – Sala Polivalente
November 4, 2026
Il palazzo di Teoderico a Terracina e la crescita economica
Speaker: Enrico Cirelli
Sede: MAR – Museo d’Arte della Città di Ravenna – Sala Martini
December 3, 2026
Teoderico il Grande: dalla storia alla leggenda
Speaker: Alessandro Zironi
Venue: Casa Matha – Sala Conferenze
December 16, 2026
Teoderico tra Roma, Ravenna e Cervia: una storia da ricomporre
Speaker: Andrea Augenti
Venue: MAR – Museo d’Arte della Città di Ravenna – Sala Martini