Collier's New Encyclopedia

A complete general encyclopedia of 1921 — the world as it was understood just after the Great War, from Aachen to Zwingli, across twelve volumes and six thousand pages.

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Odoacer

the first barbarian King of Italy, son of one of Attila's officers; born about 434. He entered into the Imperial guards, in which he rose to an honorable rank. In 476 he was chosen chief of a confederate army, and was saluted by them King of Italy. He defeated the patrician Orestes at Pavia, banished his son, Romulus Augustus, last Roman emperor, and made Ravenna the seat of his kingdom. In 489, Theodoric, King of the Ostrogoths, invaded Italy, and Odoacer was three times defeated.

He made a treaty with Theodoric, by which they were to rule jointly. But after a few days, Odoacer was assassinated by his conquerer, March 5, 493.

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