Romulus_Augustulus
Romulus_Augustulus, born in 5th century AD, was the last Western Roman Emperor, reigning from 475 to 476. His full name was Flavius Romulus Augustus, though he is better known by his nickname Augustulus, meaning "little Augustus." Here are some key points about his life and reign:
- Background: Romulus was the son of Orestes, who was a Roman general of Germanic descent. Orestes had served under several emperors and had a significant military influence in the Western Empire.
- Rise to Power: In 475, Orestes, with the support of the Germanic tribes, overthrew Emperor Julius Nepos and installed his son Romulus_Augustulus as emperor. This act was largely symbolic, as the real power was held by Orestes and his military allies.
- Reign: Romulus_Augustulus' reign was extremely short, lasting only for about ten months. During this time, the Western Roman Empire was in a state of collapse, with numerous barbarian groups controlling much of the territory.
- Deposition: In 476, Orestes was killed by his own troops, who were dissatisfied with his inability to secure land for them. Following this, Odoacer, a Heruli leader, captured Ravenna, the capital where Romulus_Augustulus resided. Instead of killing the young emperor, Odoacer spared his life, sent him into exile, and assumed control, effectively ending the Western Roman Empire.
- Aftermath: After his deposition, Romulus_Augustulus was granted an annual pension and allowed to live in Campania, where he retired to private life. His later life is shrouded in mystery, with some legends stating he lived out his days peacefully, while others suggest he died soon after his deposition.
- Legacy: The deposition of Romulus_Augustulus by Odoacer is often cited as the traditional end date of the Western Roman Empire, marking the beginning of the Middle Ages in Western Europe.
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