Odoacer

o-do-a'ser (434?-493), the first barbarian ruler of Italy. He appears to have been born in the region of the middle Danube about 434. His ancestry is uncertain. At all events, he was a leader of influence among certain German tribes. He was enrolled in the Roman army when a young man. In 476 he took advantage of dissatisfaction among the hired troops of Rome. He placed himself at their head and organized a revolt. He deposed the last emperor of the west and took the reins of the government in his own hands. He assumed the title of Patrician, and, as such, acknowledged nominal allegiance to the emperor of the east resident at Constantinople. He was overthrown by Theodoric and was treacherously slain March 5, 493. See Goths; Vandals