My question isn't completely about Odoacer, it was just the only way for me to have a presentable title without be wordy. Regardless, what was the status of the Barbarians of the West, the Ricimers, the Odoacers and any of the Ostrogothic rulers? What position did they hold in regards to their legal status?
Was Odoacer a Citizen?
- Thread starter Tjakari
- Start date
I don't think Odoacer was a Roman citizen, well, until Zeno made him a patrician, which was after his conquest of Italy.
Orestes, however, was a Roman citizen, and I believe Ricimer was as well...
From what I understand, citizenship in the Late WRE with Germanic generals was largely circumstantial.
Orestes, however, was a Roman citizen, and I believe Ricimer was as well...
From what I understand, citizenship in the Late WRE with Germanic generals was largely circumstantial.
Not in Odoacer's case, seeing as he tried to have his full-blooded Germanic son proclaimed Caesar. If he was a citizen then his progeny would be too.
Also, why do you say it didn't matter?
Well I mean the line seemd to be drawn at being grrman or not german at this point. Stilicho was a Roman citizen for example and Arbogast was not yet both could only aspire to the same height, and achieved it in much the same way. It sidnt much matter to Zeno whether Odovacer was a Roman citizen or not, just that he was essentially fully a part of the roman Military bureacracy.