Good evening, Roger!
Ah, it's always nice to see familiar faces here. Well, metaphorically
speaking. Anyway, I think I will try to - hm - "answer" this most
unusual question. It's something else than the usual stuff I encounter
here at Google Answers. Maybe you know what I mean ... questions like
"What are the annual sales figures for toilet brushes in Luxembourg?",
"I need an analysis of Shakespeare's 'Tempest' in essay form, not less
than 4 pages A4, with citations, and I need it by tomorrow 10am!", or
"Give me all personal information, including social security number
and a full criminal record, of John Doe, 1234 Presley Blvd., Memphis,
Phone 555-325-3642." Indeed, your appearance here is very pleasant
variety from everyday work.
The problem is, I don't really know what to tell you. Maybe something
from the area of history? Yes, that's it. All right, a small history
lesson:
Most commonly, Romulus "Augustulus" Augustus is mentioned as last
Western Roman Emperor in history books. The story: Julius Nepos (born
ca. 430 AD, died 480 AD) came from Constantinople to the Western Roman
port Portus Augusti in late June, 474 AD. Backed by the Eastern
Empire, he claimed and got the Western throne. But he had not much
luck: In late August, 475 AD, his Military Commander Orestes overthrew
him. Julius Nepos could escape over sea from Ravenna to Dalmatia,
while Orestes made his underage son Romulus Augustus puppet emperor of
the West.
Romulus' reign did not last long: Odoacer, a German mercenary officer
in Western Roman service, wanted the third part of Italy for his men.
Orestes refused, so Odoacer went to battle against Orestes and killed
him. Yet he did not kill Romulus Augustus, but simply deposed him 4
September AD 476 and sent him into exile. Odoacer did not claim to be
new Western Emperor, only King of Italy. So most historians see the
fall of the Western Roman Empire here.
But Romulus Augustus was not the last Emperor of the West. Julius
Nepos was still alive, and recognized as legitimate Western Emperor by
Eastern Emperor Zeno in Constantinople. He lived in Dalmatia, ruling a
kind of "pocket empire". Zeno did recognize Odoacer as King of Italy,
but insisted, both with the senate as well as with Odoacer, that
Julius Nepos was to remain as emperor, even if only on paper. Odoacer
appears to have granted Zeno his wish, as gold coins issued under his
rule did indeed bear Nepos' name. So at least in theory, Julius Nepos
was the last Roman emperor of the West. Though in practice Nepos was
forced to remain in exile, never to retake his throne again.
Julius Nepos died on 9 May AD 480, assassinated by two of servants at
his country house near Salonae (Solin). If the death of the last
Western Emperor marks the fall of Western Rome, it is that day in
Sprng 480 ... four years after the "last" Imperator was deposed...
That is the end of today's history lesson. I hope it was interesting,
Roger.
Have a nice day and another glass of fine wine!
Greetings,
Scriptor |
