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Last Updated:
2024-09-22 08:20:01

Odoacer

Barbarian soldier who deposed Western Roman Emperor
Barbarian soldier who deposed Western Roman Emperor

Odoacer, a barbarian soldier from the Middle Danube, overthrew Romulus Augustulus in 476 AD, becoming the ruler of Italy until 493 AD. He was supported by the Roman Senate and maintained a complex relationship with the Eastern Roman Emperor in Constantinople. Odoacer was a military leader who incorporated Dalmatia into his domain and faced challenges from Illus and Theodoric the Great, ultimately being defeated and killed by Theodoric in 493 AD.

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433
Birth of Odoacer

Odoacer, also known as Odovacar or Odovakar, was born around the year 433. He later became the first barbarian King of Italy, playing a significant role in the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

463
Odoacer fights against Visigoths

Odoacer participates in a battle as a soldier in the Roman army against the Visigoths.

470
Odoacer becomes an officer in the Roman Army

By 470, Odoacer had become an officer in what remained of the Roman Army. He is described as being part of the Roman military establishment and played a role in the downfall of the emperor Anthemius.

475
Odoacer becomes head of the Germanic foederati of Italy

In 475, Odoacer assumed leadership of the Germanic foederati of Italy after Orestes was appointed Magister militum and patrician by the Western Roman Emperor Julius Nepos. Odoacer's rise to power was a result of the foederati's discontent with Orestes' refusal to grant them lands and settle them permanently in Italy.

0476
Deposition of Romulus Augustulus

Odoacer deposed the last Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, in 476 CE, marking the end of the western Roman Empire and the beginning of the Ostrogothic Kingdom.

476-08-23
Overthrow of Romulus Augustulus

Odoacer, a Germanic chieftain, became the first barbarian king of Italy after overthrowing the last Western Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, on August 23, 476 AD.

476-08-28
Execution of Orestes

Five days after Odoacer was proclaimed king, Orestes, the Roman general who had reneged on his promise to tribal leaders, was captured and executed in Placentia (now Piacenza), Italy.

476-09-04
Deposition of Romulus Augustulus

Odoacer deposed the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, on September 4, 476 CE, marking the end of the Roman Empire.

477
Odoacer Becomes King of Italy

After deposing Romulus Augustus, Odoacer sought recognition from the Eastern Roman Emperor and officially became the King of Italy, consolidating power and seeking legitimacy.

480
Odoacer invades Dalmatia

In 480, Odoacer invaded Dalmatia (present-day Croatia) and successfully conquered the region within two years.

484
Odoacer aids Illus against Zeno

In 484, Illus, master of soldiers of the Eastern Empire, sought Odoacer's help to depose Zeno. Odoacer then attacked Zeno's westernmost provinces.

487
Odoacer invades the Danube Valley, Rugii Wars

Odoacer's military actions include an invasion of the Danube Valley, known as the Rugii Wars.

489
Theoderic the Great defeats Odoacer at the Battle of Isonzo

Theoderic the Great, with the support of the Eastern Emperor Zeno, defeated Odoacer at the Battle of Isonzo, leading to Odoacer's retreat to Verona.

490-08-11
Battle of the Adda River between Odoacer and Theoderic

Odoacer faced defeat at the Battle of the Adda River against Theoderic, leading to a siege of Ravenna where Odoacer took refuge.

491-07-09
Large-scale sortie from Ravenna

Odoacer sent a large-scale sortie out of Ravenna on the night of 9/10 July 491, which ended in failure with the death of his commander-in-chief and the best of his Herulian soldiers.

491-07-10
Death of Livilia and Herulian soldiers

A large-scale sortie out of Ravenna on the night of July 9/10, 491, led to the death of Odoacer's commander-in-chief, Livilia, and his best Herulian soldiers.

492-08-29
Goths assembling ships at Rimini

On August 29, 492, the Goths were preparing to assemble enough ships at Rimini to establish a blockade of Ravenna.

0493
Conflict with the Byzantine Empire under Theodoric the Great

After establishing his rule in Italy, Odoacer faced conflict with the Byzantine Empire under Theodoric the Great, leading to the establishment of the Ostrogothic Kingdom.

493-02-25
Treaty between Theoderic and Odoacer

On February 25, 493, a treaty was negotiated by John, the bishop of Ravenna, between Theoderic and Odoacer, allowing them to jointly occupy and rule Ravenna.

493-03-05
Theodoric's entry into Ravenna and death of Odoacer

On 5 March 493, Theodoric entered Ravenna after the negotiated treaty and Odoacer died ten days later, slain by Theodoric during a meal they shared. Theodoric's act marked the end of Odoacer's rule in Italy.

493-03-15
Death of Odoacer

Ten days after Theoderic entered Ravenna, Odoacer was killed by Theoderic during a meal, following a failed assassination attempt.

End of the Timeline
Odoacer
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