Odoacer

AncientGeneralItaly433 — 493

Germanic soldier who deposed the last Western Roman emperor.

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Quick Facts

Born

433

Died

493

Country

Italy

Era

Ancient

Occupation

General

Score Overview

Military (10%)70

Political (20%)29

Influence (20%)54

Legacy (20%)47

Leadership (15%)47

Strategy (15%)60

Total Score49.7

Odoacer — Complete Timeline

476 AD

Deposition of Romulus AugustulusPolitical Action

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.

Fall of Western Roman EmpireEnd of Antiquity

Impact: global

Proclamation as King of ItalyPolitical Action◆ Major

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.

Kingdom of ItalyGermanic RulePost-Roman

Impact: regional

489 AD

War with the OstrogothsWar◆ Major

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.

Ostrogothic InvasionItaly War

Impact: regionaldestructive

493 AD

Siege of Ravenna and DeathWar◆ Major

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.

AssassinationOstrogothic KingdomEnd of Rule

Impact: regionaltragic