Odoacer
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Odoacer. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about other peoples, religions, or nationalities that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: ET 2026-07-22) 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
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about other peoples, religions, or nationalities that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: ET 2026-07-22) 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.