Historical Events from This Year 476
Odoacer Proclaimed King of Italy by Troops
Odoacer, a chieftain of the Herulic and Scirian tribes, was declared rex Italiae, or King of Italy, by his forces. This momentous occasion marked a significant shift in power during the declining period of the Western Roman Empire. Odoacer’s troops, composed of various Germanic factions, rallied behind him following the deposition of the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus. Their proclamation was a culmination of ongoing tensions and dissatisfaction with Roman rule, as the empire struggled to maintain control amid the rise of barbarian groups within its territories.
Continue ReadingOdoacer Proclaims Himself King of Italy
In the late 5th century, Odoacer, a Germanic chieftain, deposed the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, marking the significant transition from Roman rule in Italy to Germanic control. Odoacer's rise to power was a culmination of political instability and military conflict within the crumbling Western Roman Empire. He took control of Ravenna, the empire's capital, and declared himself King of Italy, symbolizing the end of ancient Rome’s reign over the region. This pivotal moment shifted the dynamics of power in Italy and influenced the subsequent formation of medieval kingdoms.
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