The year marked a turning point in the waning days of the Western Roman Empire when Orestes, a prominent general, executed a plan that forced Emperor Julius Nepos to flee Ravenna. Nepos, who had ruled since 474, faced growing dissent due to his heavy-handed policies and alienation of other military leaders. Orestes capitalized on this dissatisfaction by rallying troops who were eager for change and power. His coup was swift and decisive, leading to the emperor's flight from the city, a retreat that symbolizes the declining authority of the Roman imperial structure.

As Orestes took control, he did not crown himself as emperor but instead installed his young son, Romulus Augustulus, as a puppet ruler. This maneuver highlighted both Orestes’s military power and the fragility of imperial authority at the time. By forcing Nepos into exile, Orestes eliminated a significant rival and effectively centralized power within the military, marking a shift that underpinned the ongoing fragmentation of the western empire. This episode also reveals the complexities of loyalty among Roman generals and the shifting allegiances that characterized the late 5th century.

Ultimately, while Orestes's actions momentarily solidified his influence, the military-led coup foreshadowed the eventual decline of the Western Roman Empire. The authority of the emperor weakened in the face of military insubordination, prompting future challenges to the traditionally recognized power structures. By setting the stage for the rise of militia leaders and regional warlords, this event presaged the eventual transition toward medieval European power dynamics, where local leaders would often wield more authority than distant emperors.