Did odoacer overthrow the Empire and declare himself king of Italy?

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. Odoacer introduced few important changes into the administrative system of Italy.

What happened to Rome after odoacer took over?

Odoacer now proclaimed himself king of the Herules in Italy (476–493), but not king of Italy, as Italy formally remained a land of the Roman Empire after absorbing Augustus’s powers, and formed alliances with other barbarians, a prime example being the Visigoths.

What if odoacer failed?

The Roman general Orestes promised them land if they served in the Roman army, and a Sciri regiment was stationed in Italy. When he failed to keep his promise Odoacer, who had joined the Sciri regiment, became the leader of a Sciri revolt in 476 and was proclaimed king by his troops. Orestes was captured and executed.

Why is Odoacer important?

Odoacer introduced few important changes into the administrative system of Italy. He had the support of the Roman Senate and was able to distribute land to his followers without much opposition. Unrest among his warriors led to violence in 477–478, but no such disturbances occurred during the later period of his reign.

How did Romulus augustulus affect the Roman Empire during his reign?

Romulus Augustus ruled the empire’s dominions for just over 10 months before being deposed in September AD 476. His deposition traditionally marks the fall of ancient Rome, and heralds the beginning of the Middle Ages in Western Europe. He was deposed in September 476 after reigning for little more than 10 months.

What happened in Rome after the fall of the empire?

After the collapse of the Roman empire, ethnic chiefs and kings, ex-Roman governors, generals, war lords, peasant leaders and bandits carved up the former Roman provinces into feudal kingdoms.

How did the Roman empire end and what role did Odoacer play?

Odoacer was a Germanic soldier in the Roman army who in 476 became the first King of Italy. These armies, led by Odoacer, revolted against Emperor Augustulus and deposed him in 476, and granted Odoacer kingship.

Was Romulus augustulus a good emperor?

Romulus Augustulus, in full Flavius Momyllus Romulus Augustulus, (flourished 5th century ad), known to history as the last of the Western Roman emperors (475–476). In fact, he was a usurper and puppet not recognized as a legitimate ruler by the Eastern emperor.

Why was Romulus augustulus important?

Romulus Augustus ruled the empire’s dominions for just over 10 months before being deposed in September AD 476. His deposition traditionally marks the fall of ancient Rome, and heralds the beginning of the Middle Ages in Western Europe. Remembered for: Being the last Roman emperor.

How did Odoacer represent himself in the Roman Empire?

Though the real power in Italy was in his hands, he represented himself as the client of the emperor in Constantinople. Odoacer generally used the Roman honorific patrician, granted by the emperor Zeno, but is referred to as a king ( Latin: rex) in many documents.

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.

Was Odoacer a king or a patrician?

Though the real power in Italy was in his hands, he represented himself as the client of the emperor in Constantinople. Odoacer generally used the Roman honorific patrician, granted by the emperor Zeno, but is referred to as a king (Latin: rex) in many documents.