What did Odoacer do?

Likely of East Germanic descent, Odoacer was a military leader in Italy who led the revolt of Herulian, Rugian, and Scirian soldiers that deposed Romulus Augustulus on 4 September AD 476. Upon Nepos’s murder in 480 Odoacer invaded Dalmatia, to punish the murderers.

What was the significance of Odoacer overthrow the Western Roman Emperor Romulus augustulus?

Odoacer’s deposition of Romulus Augustus, occurring in 476 AD, was a coup that marked the end of the reign of the Western Roman Emperor last approved by the Western Roman Senate and the creation of the Kingdom of Italy, although Julius Nepos exercised control over Dalmatia until 480.

Why is it ironic that the last Roman emperor was named Romulus?

The new emperor, who was around 14 years old, was proclaimed as ‘Romulus Augustus’ to the western empire. Many historians have remarked that it is ironic that the last Roman emperor was (coincidentally) named after the first Roman ruler, Augustus, who reigned from 27 BC–AD 14. The public mocked Romulus’s imperial name.

Why did Odoacer spare Romulus’s life?

Romulus was the son of the Western empire’s master of soldiers Orestes. Odoacer’s forces captured and executed Orestes on August 28, 476. Romulus, however, was spared because of his youth; Odoacer gave him a pension and sent him to live with his relatives in Campania, a region of southern Italy.

Why was the eastern part of Rome less vulnerable to external attacks?

The eastern half of the Roman Empire proved less vulnerable to external attack, thanks in part to its geographic location. With Constantinople located on a strait, it was extremely difficult to breach the capital’s defenses; in addition, the eastern empire had a much smaller common frontier with Europe.

Why was the Eastern Roman Empire able to stay strong?

The eastern part of the Roman Empire grew stronger because Constantinople and other eastern cities were on trade routes. The economic gains from the trade of spices and other items from the far east guaranteed wealth and stability, The western part of the Roman Empire became weaker because of constant invasions.

What did Odoacer do in 476?

Odoacer. He and his troops were mercenaries in the service of Rome, but in 476 the Heruli revolted and proclaimed Odoacer their king. Odoacer defeated the Roman general Orestes at Piacenza, took Ravenna (the West Roman capital), and deposed Romulus Augustulus, last Roman emperor of the West (until the coronation in 800 of Charlemagne).

What is Odoacer known for?

Odoacer (433–93) ( Odovacar) Chief of the Germanic Heruli people and conqueror of the Western Roman Empire. The Heruli were Roman mercenaries until 476, when they declared Odoacer king of Italy. After the Ostrogoths invaded in 489, Odoacer fled to Ravenna.

What happened to Orestes and Odoacer?

On Aug. 23, 476, Odoacer was proclaimed king by his troops, and five days later Orestes was captured and executed in Placentia (now Piacenza), Italy. Odoacer then deposed and exiled Orestes’ young son, the emperor Romulus Augustulus.

Was Odoacer a patrician?

Zeno granted him the rank of patrician, but Odoacer styled himself “King.” He refused to acknowledge Julius Nepos, Zeno’s candidate, as Western emperor. Another source states both Odoacer and Theodoric had been seen as heretics and had problems with Roman aristocrats.