Odoacer

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Odoacer (c. 433 – 15 March 493 AD), also spelled Odovacer or Odovacar, was a soldier and statesman of non-Roman heritage who, as an officer of the Roman army, deposed the Western Roman child emperor Romulus Augustulus to become the ruler of Italy in the period 476–493 AD. His takeover is traditionally understood as marking the end of the Western Roman Empire. Although he ruled Italy, Odoacer styled himself a client of the Eastern emperor Zeno in Constantinople. He was addressed not only as rex but also as dux and patrician, the latter title granted by Zeno. In the sole surviving document from his chancery—and by the consul Basilius—Odoacer used the title of king. Backed by the Roman Senate, he distributed land with little resistance. Soldier unrest in 477–478 caused violence, but his later reign was stable. Though an Arian, he seldom interfered in the Trinitarian state church. Before taking control of Italy, Odoacer led the revolt of Herulian, Rugian, and Scirian troops that deposed Romulus...

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