Late Roman Empire, Non-dynastic (455-476) (W) and the Leonid Dynasty (457-518) (E): Romulus Augustulus (W), Zeno [2/2], Odoacer

94 ROMULUS AUGUSTULUS (c.16; r. 475.10-476.09) (W)

95 ZENO (66; r. 476.08-491.04) (E) [2/2]

In August the magister militum utriusque ⁸¹Flavius Orestes (fl.449-476) took control of the government in Ravenna and forced Julius Nepos to flee to Dalmatia. In October, Orestes installed his son Romulus Augustus (>16; fl.475-476+) as the new emperor in the West.

On receiving the news that Zeno had rallied his forces in Isauria and won over Illus, Basiliscus sent Armatus to Nicaea to oppose Zeno’s advance. But Armatus had no wish to fight for the losing side and on receiving the promise of magister militum for life, left the road open and, with Theodoric Strabo holding back, Zeno entered Constantinople unopposed in August 476. Basiliscus and his family took refuge in Sancta Sophia but after promises to spare their lives they surrendered and were exiled to Cucusus (=Goksun) in Cappadocia where, however, they were imprisoned and left to starve to death.

Odoacer (c.60; r.476-493), King of Italy

In Italy some Germanic mercenaries led by Odoacer were confronting Orestes, he having refused to give them land that they had been demanding. Orestes declined the combat offered by Odoacer on the Plain of Lodi and retreated into Pavia. Only five days later Odoacer captured Pavia and had Orestes killed in Placentia (=Piacenza). Odoacer was then proclaimed King of Italy (476-493) by his troops. 

Odoacer next marched on Ravenna, which was defended by Paulus the brother of Orestes and where Romulus had taken refuge. In a chance encounter near to the city Paulus was killed and Odoacer occupied Ravenna. On 4 September 476 Romulus was deposed but allowed to live in Campania.

Odoacer notified Zeno that the West no longer needed an emperor of its own and that he, Odovacar, would be content to rule Italy in Zeno’s name in the capacity of ‘patrician’. The year 476 can be used to mark the end of the Western Roman Empire and the beginning of the European Middle Ages.