THEODORIC, MAUSOLEUM OF

tomb built c. 520 in Ravenna, Italy, by the Arian Ostrogothic emperor Theodoric. The lower story is a decagon, while the upper story is circular and roofed with a remarkable monolithic dome 36 feet (11 metres) in diameter made of limestone imported from Istria. When Ravenna was captured by the Catholic Belisarius in 540 the bones of Theodoric were scattered and the mausoleum converted into the church of Sta. Maria della Rotonda. The facade and portico were rebuilt in the 16th century.