The last Roman emperor

Posted on September 14, 2007
Filed Under Education, Social Issues, Uncategorized

When Romulus Augustus was appointed emperor of the western Roman Empire he was still just a child and things were not looking good for Rome. By some considered to be the last true western emperor of Rome, sources show that he was emperor for only 10 months and, due to his tender age, was a mere puppet of his father the patrician Orestes after he had led a coup against former ruler Julius Nepos. The tumultuous and short history of Augustus is well known but little is to be found in the first hand sources of the time causing quite a range of speculation and possible fantastical story conjuring.

By the year 475AD, the Roman Empire had shrunk to encompass only Italy and areas of southern Gaul and Dalmatia. The emperor of the time was Julius Nepos who had been appointed by the eastern emperors Leo and Zeno further emphasizing the loss of power in the west. Orestes, a famed military commander, led a revolt against Nepos who had little support as ruler and was driven from Rome. Soon after, Augustus was named emperor by his father and Nepos fled to Dalmatia to escape.

Although Nepos lived in exile, the eastern empire still considered him to be the emperor of the west, further reducing the power of Rome. The young leader Romulus came to be known as ‘Augustulus’ a joke name meaning “the little Augustus” and was simply a figurehead behind whom his father ruled.

The biggest challenge the young emperor faced was managing the barbarian troops under the command of Orestes. The only way the troops could be managed was to pay them in gold. The administration set about minting coins in the name of the new emperor Augustus but had an incredibly difficult time getting his whole name “Romulus Augustus” on a single coin.

Despite payments made to the troops, they wanted more in the form of land. When their requests were refused the soldiers teamed up with Odovacar, a cheiftan from a Hunnish and Scirian background and worked to overthrow Orestus’ rule.

On 28 August 476AD, Odovacar killed Orestes marking the end of Augustus’ rule over ancient Rome. Reports of that time are in conflict with each other regarding the fate of Augustus after his rule is taken away. According to one report of the time, young Augustus was not only spared his life but also given an income comparable to a wealthy senator to live off and then sent to Campania to live freely with his relatives. Other reports do not recall his treatment being nearly as pleasant, and some say was condemned to exile.