Odoacer

Odoacer

Odoacer, who lived from around 433 to 493 AD, was an important soldier and leader from the Middle Danube. He served in the Roman army and later became the ruler of Italy.

Odoacer is famous for removing the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, Romulus Augustulus, in 476 AD. This event is often seen as the end of the Western Roman Empire.

Even though he ruled Italy, Odoacer showed respect to the Eastern Roman Emperor Zeno in Constantinople. He used titles like king, leader, and patrician. With support from the Roman Senate, he managed land and kept peace for most of his time in power. Although he followed Arian beliefs, he did not trouble the main Christian church much.

Odoacer began his rise by leading troops to remove Romulus Augustulus from power. After that, he ruled Italy while still recognizing other emperors. He later took control of Dalmatia. In the end, another leader named Theodoric the Great invaded Italy and captured Odoacer.

Origins

The name Odoacer has different ideas about where it came from. Some think it has Germanic roots meaning “luck” and “vigilant.” Others suggest it might be from Turkic languages, meaning “grass-born,” “fire-born,” or “herder.”

Odoacer was described as being from the Sciri people. His father’s name was Edeco, and he had a brother named Hunulf. Historians debate whether Odoacer’s family was Germanic, Turkic, or a mix of different groups from the time of Attila the Hun. Some ancient writers called him a Goth, while others linked him to the Sciri, Heruli, or Rugii peoples.

Odoacer’s exact background remains unclear, but he likely came from a mixed group of people living near the Middle Danube region during a time of frequent movement and mixing among different tribes.

Before Italy

John of Antioch said Odoacer was about 60 years old when he died in 493. This means he was born around 433.

There are two old stories about leaders named Odoacer from the History of the Franks by Gregory of Tours. Both stories happened when Childeric I, king of the Franks, was alive. Childeric died around 481.

One story tells of a leader named Adovacrius who led Saxons near the Loire River. Some think this might be the same Odoacer who later ruled Italy.

In another story, Odoacer helped Childeric fight the Alamanni. The Alamanni were causing trouble in Italy. This Odoacer is probably the same person who later became king of Italy.

Before Odoacer became a ruler, he met a holy man named Severinus. Even though they had different religious beliefs, Severinus told Odoacer he would become famous. Odoacer remembered this meeting.

Leader of the foederati

Around 470, Odoacer was an officer in the Roman Army. He helped in battles. When Orestes became a top leader in Italy in 475, Odoacer led the soldiers there.

The soldiers wanted land to live on, but Orestes refused. So, they followed Odoacer. Orestes was killed, and Odoacer became king on August 23, 476. Soon after, he asked the young emperor Romulus to step down on September 4. Odoacer let Romulus live and gave him money.

Odoacer ruled Italy but worked for the Eastern Roman Emperor Zeno. Zeno gave Odoacer the title of Patrician and let him govern Italy for Rome. Odoacer did not bring back the old Western emperor, Julius Nepos, who stayed in Dalmatia until he died.

Reign

Further information: Kingdom of Odoacer

In 476, Odoacer became the leader of Italy after his soldiers chose him as their king. He worked with leaders in Rome and gave them important jobs. He also made new coins that were bigger and better than the old ones.

Odoacer was a Christian and got along well with other church leaders. He helped people by giving them more time to pay taxes. He also fought battles to keep control of the land around Italy.

Fall and death

As Odoacer became more powerful, the Eastern Emperor Zeno saw him as a rival. Zeno asked Theodoric the Great and his Ostrogoths to defeat Odoacer and take control of Italy. In 489, Theodoric led his army into Italy and fought Odoacer. Odoacer was defeated and went to Ravenna, but Theodoric kept attacking.

After a long time, they made peace and agreed to share Ravenna and rule together. But Theodoric broke the peace and killed Odoacer during a meal. After this, Theodoric also had many of Odoacer’s supporters killed. Even though the end was violent, Odoacer’s rule helped start a new kingdom in Italy under Theodoric.

Later portrayals

Some old poems and stories talk about Odoacer. In a German poem called the Hildebrandslied, Odoacer is mentioned. There is also an old English poem called "Wulf and Eadwacer" that some think is about Odoacer.