If Julius Nepos is not killed, how long can Roman Dalmatia last? To my uderstanting Odoacer only invaded Dalmatia after Nepos died, because he wanted to keep Zeno happy by recognizing Nepos as Western Emperor, if only on paper. If Julius Nepos can create a stable line of succession will Roman Dalmatia be protected? If so, can they last until the Gothic War?
However, other Eastern Roman (I don't think people call them Byzantine until after Justinian, right?) emperors may not insist on the Ostrogoths to recognize Nepos's successors. Discuss.