Odoacer

Odoacer, also known as Odovacar, was a Germanic chieftain and soldier who came to prominence in the late Roman Empire. He is believed to have led the foederati, non-Roman mercenaries settled in Italy, in the service of the Western Empire.

In 476, Odoacer deposed Romulus Augustulus, the last Western Roman emperor, and sent the imperial insignia to the Eastern Emperor Zeno as a gesture of submission. Odoacer then proclaimed himself king of Italy, with Ravenna acting as his capital. He presented his rule as a continuation of Roman tradition while effectively ruling independently. He secured Zeno's recognition by accepting the title of patrician and sending tribute, maintaining a nominal allegiance to the eastern court.

Administrative policy: Odoacer retained much of the existing Roman administration and bureaucracy, preserved Roman law, and relied on Roman officials to govern. He maintained a measure of religious tolerance within a predominantly Christian population.

His reign faced pressure from the eastern frontier and from other Germanic groups. In 489–493, Theodoric the Great, leader of the Ostrogoths, was sent by Zeno to remove Odoacer. After a protracted conflict, Theodoric defeated Odoacer near Ravenna and had him killed; Theodoric established the Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy.

Legacy: Odoacer's deposition of Romulus Augustulus is traditionally dated as the end of the Western Roman Empire. His rule is often viewed as a transitional period between antiquity and the early medieval Italian kingdoms, during which Roman institutions persisted under a Germanic ruler.