4 Sep 476: Western Roman Empire falls

On this day in 476, Odoacer declared himself the King of Italy, ending the Western Roman Empire. (476 is a year that I suggest you memorize.)

Romulus Augustulus, probably on the lower end of the teenage range, had been made emperor by his father ten months prior. During his reign he was unable to gain much support outside of Rome; Odoacer, of Germanic provenance, led a revolt, forcing Romulus to abdicate. Perhaps taking pity because of the dethroned emperor’s age, Odoacer allowed Romulus to move to live with family in the countryside.

Odoacer pledged fealty to Julius Nepos, the penultimate Roman emperor, who had been usurped when he moved to Dalmatia in 475. After Julius was killed in 480, Odoacer bowed to Zeno, Byzantine emperor.

His reign was mostly peaceful until Theodoric the Great invaded in 490, forcing Odoacer to take refuge in Ravenna. Theodoric finally captured and killed Odoacer on the Ides of March, 493.

Image: anonymous illustration of Romulus Augustulus resigning the crown (19th century)