476 battle between the Heruli under their King Odoacer and the remnants of the Western Roman Army in Roman Italy
The Battle of Ravenna ended the Western Roman Empire when Odoacer defeated its last army and deposed the final emperor, Romulus Augustulus.
Key Facts
- Date of battle
- 2 September 476
- Abdication date
- 4 September 476
- Age of deposed emperor
- 16 years old
- Victorious commander
- Odoacer, King of the Heruli
- Fate of Romulus Augustulus
- Forced abdication; sent to retirement in Campania
- Trigger of revolt
- Orestes refused Heruli demand for one-third of Italian lands
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Heruli were foederati mercenaries serving Rome who demanded one-third of Italian lands, mirroring gains made by barbarian federates in Gaul, Spain, and Africa. When Orestes, father of the emperor Romulus Augustulus, rejected their demand, they revolted under Odoacer, rallying confederates from across Italy's camps and garrisons. Orestes retreated to Pavia, which was sacked, and he was subsequently executed.
On 2 September 476, the decisive battle was fought near Ravenna, capital of the Western Roman Empire. Odoacer's Heruli forces defeated the depleted Roman garrison, and the city defended by Paulus, brother of Orestes, fell swiftly. Two days later, Odoacer compelled the sixteen-year-old emperor Romulus Augustulus to abdicate, ending the last Roman imperial reign in the West.
Romulus Augustulus was exiled to retirement in Campania rather than executed. With his deposition, the Western Roman Empire ceased to exist as a political entity. Odoacer became the first barbarian ruler of Italy, and the Eastern Roman Empire, which had recognized Julius Nepos as the legitimate western emperor, remained the sole continuation of Roman imperial authority.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Odoacer.
Side B
1 belligerent
Paulus (brother of Orestes).