Theodoric the Great’s Legislation on Protection of Monuments and the Significance of the Ostrogothic Renaissance in the Context of Heritage Law History

Abstract

Introduction. The Ostrogothic conquest of Italy is one of the turning points in the historical transition from the ancient Greco-Roman to the new European civilization to which we now tend to think that we belong. Since then, the protection of historical heritage has become one of the defining features of the European culture, particularly of the legal one. The transition from a cyclical to a linear model of time comprehension has occurred. The awareness of its transience and irreversibility as well as the fragility of the usual order of things is raised. In view of this, the best representatives of mankind become conscious of the need to preserve the best heritage of previous ages. Thus, the very spirit and principles of the future cultural heritage law are born. The aim of the article is an analysis of the array of legal documents on the protection of monuments from the period under consideration and an assessment of the place of the Ostrogothic renaissance in the history of cultural heritage law. Results. Theodoric's legislation on monument protection is represented mainly by documents contained in The «Variae» of Cassiodorus. These are royal orders addressed to a certain category of subjects or certain officials of the state. The ruler in his acts touches on many issues, both purely practical and conceptual. Objects to be protected are identified, responsible persons are appointed, professional requirements are emphasized, specific methodological advice on restoration works is provided, and liability for damage to monuments is defined. It is interesting to emphasize the priority of maintaining a holistic context over the protection of individual objects. It reached the conclusion about a progressive character and an outstanding significance of the Ostrogothic Renaissance for the safeguarding of classical culture and the formation of modern European civilization. The reflections of the Early Middle Ages, encrypted in the «Variae», are part of the intangible message of classical culture. Communication with this culture is the main resource for the progress of our civilization.