When did Odoacer depose Romulus Augustulus?

Romulus Augustulus was deposed on September 4, 476 AD, by the barbarian general Odoacer, who defeated Romulus's father and military commander, Orestes. This event is traditionally viewed as marking the end of the Western Roman Empire and the transition from antiquity to the medieval period. Instead of proclaiming a new emperor, Odoacer took control of Italy as its king while formally acknowledging the Eastern emperor.

What we know

• Odoacer deposed Romulus Augustulus on September 4, 476. [2, 4]
• Romulus Augustulus was placed on the throne as a minor by his father Orestes in October 475. [2]
• After deposing Romulus, Odoacer did not appoint a successor and became the first King of Italy. [2, 3]
• Romulus's life was spared by Odoacer, and he was permitted to retire to the castellum Lucullanum in Campania. [2]

Still open

• Historians disagree on whether Romulus Augustulus or his predecessor Julius Nepos should be considered the true last emperor of the Western Roman Empire.

Where to go next

• whoWho was Odoacer?
• what caused itHow did the Western Roman Empire fall?
• compared withWhat happened to Julius Nepos after losing power?
• whereWhere was castellum Lucullanum?
• what followedHow did the Kingdom of Odoacer function?
• an unexpected connectionDid Romulus Augustulus survive his deposition to help found a monastery?Despite being the deposed final emperor of Rome, Romulus was spared execution and may have lived out his years helping establish a monastery dedicated to Saint Severinus.

Sources

• [1]Romulus Augustus (Wikidata Q130601) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Romulus Augustulus · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Deposition of Romulus Augustus · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Odoacer · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Julius Nepos · CC BY-SA 4.0