Gao Huan vs Odoacer

Gao Huan defeated the Erzhu clan at the Battle of Shanyin, ending their dominance over the Northern Wei court. This victory allowed him to install Emperor Xiaowu as a puppet ruler and become the de facto ruler of northern China.

After a split with Emperor Xiaowu, Gao Huan established the Eastern Wei Dynasty with Emperor Xiaojing as a puppet ruler. He controlled the eastern half of northern China from his capital at Yecheng, ruling as de facto dictator until his death.

Gao Huan died from illness at age 51. His sons Gao Cheng and Gao Yang succeeded him, with Gao Yang later founding the Northern Qi Dynasty, fulfilling Gao Huan's ambition of establishing a new ruling house.

Odoacer, leading a revolt of Germanic foederati, deposed the Western Roman Emperor Romulus Augustulus. He sent the imperial regalia to the Eastern Roman Emperor Zeno, effectively ending the Western Roman Empire.

After deposing Romulus Augustulus, Odoacer was proclaimed King of Italy by his troops. He ruled Italy autonomously while nominally recognizing the authority of the Eastern Roman Emperor, establishing a new political order.

The Eastern Roman Emperor Zeno sent the Ostrogothic king Theodoric the Great to invade Italy and overthrow Odoacer. Odoacer's forces were defeated at the battles of Isonzo and Verona, leading to a prolonged siege of Ravenna.

Odoacer surrendered Ravenna to Theodoric after a three-year siege. Under a truce, Theodoric invited Odoacer to a banquet and killed him with his own hands, ending Odoacer's rule and establishing the Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy.