r was appointed in the West for two
years. The imperial power was nominally concentrated in the hands of the
eastern emperor, Leo, while Ricimer was in actual control of the
government in Italy. In 467, Leo sent as emperor to Rome, Anthemius, a
prominent dignitary of the eastern court, whose daughter was married to
Ricimer in order to secure the cooeperation of the latter in a joint attack
of the two empires upon the Vandal kingdom in Africa. However, in 472
Ricimer broke with Anthemius who had endeavored with the support of the
Roman Senate to free himself from the influence of the powerful barbarian.
Anthemius was besieged in Rome, and put to death following the capture of
the city. Thereupon Ricimer raised to the purple Olybrius, a son-in-law of
Valentinian III. But both the new emperor and his patron died in the
course of the same year (472 A. D.).

*The last years of the western empire.* In 473 A. D. Gundobad, the nephew
of Ricimer, caused Glycerius to be proclaimed emperor. However, his
appointment was not recognized by Leo, who nominated Julius Nepos. The
next year Nepos invaded Italy and overthrew his rival, only to meet a like
fate at the hands of Orestes, whom he had made master of the soldiers (475
A. D.). Orestes did not assume the imperial title himself, but bestowed it
upon his son Romulus, known as Augustulus. But Orestes was unable to
maintain his position for long. The Germanic mercenaries in Italy--Herculi,
Sciri, and others--led by Odovacar, demanded for themselves lands in Italy
such as their kinsmen had been granted as _foederati_ in the provinces.
When their demands were refused they mutinied and slew Orestes. Romulus
was forced to abdicate, and Odovacar assumed the title of king (476
A. D.). The soldiers were settled on Italian soil and the barbarians
acquired full control of the western empire.

*The kingship of Odovacar, 476-493 A. D.* With the deposition of Romulus
Augustulus, the commander-in-chief of the barbarian soldiery, long the
virtual ruler in the western empire, was recognized as legally exercising
this power. The imperial authority was united in the person of the eastern
emperor who sanctioned the rule of Odovacar by granting him the title of
patrician, which had been held already by Aetius, Ricimer and Orestes. The
barbarian king was at the same time the imperial regent in Italy.

But it was only in Italy that Odovacar obtained recognition. The last
remnants of Roman authority vanis