Cassiodorus

Cassiodorus, Magnus Aurelius, an Italian statesman and historian (468-568), who was secretary to the King Theodoric, and after his death the chief minister of Queen Amalasontha. He seems to have had great influence with Theodoric, and to have dictated much of his policy. Cassiodorus wrote a history of the Goths, which, however, only exists now as an epitome, and he left twelve Books of Letters which, of no great merit in themselves, are yet of great value for the light they throw upon the history of the time, and the general condition and management of the kingdom. The latter part of Cassiodorus's life was spent in his native Calabria.