Western Roman Empire possibilities for a restoration before Charlemagne?

How likely is the scenario that a conqueror/adventurer sponsored by the Eastern Emperor conquers Italy, and in some sort of ceremony is awarded rulership of the Roman Empire in the west (like a real Donation of Constantine)? Or what other possibilities could exist that allow for a "Roman Empire" to resurge in the west, after Odoaecer (preferably without Justinian too) but before Charlemagne or Otto I ?
 
Well Maurice was planning on making one of his sons western emperor IIRC, though someone with more knowledge can confirm or deny that.
 
Some could come in mind, but they have their own difficulties.

- A romano-gothic empire could be created, if Theodoric control over not only Visigoths (thanks to Eutharic survival), but also a protectorate de facto on Burgundy, Vandalia and Bavaria.

It would ask for a radical change of mind tough, for a barbarian king to proclaim himself roman emperor : not only it would go against uses (No fusion of population meant a german king couldn't really pretend to an imperial title), with the religion problem (Goths being still Arian at this point) as well legitimacy (Theodoric and Gothic kings issued their own from their "national" kingship. Abandoning it would have been hazardous).

But assuming ERE either collapses or is too deeply focused on is own issues (earlier Romano-Persian wars?), that a successor of Theodoric manages to keep these lands under his control (including depending lands), that they convert (allowing an earlier fuse of populations), it's possible (while not the most plausible).

- Any tentative of co-empire (rather than territorial distinction as West/East) from the Eastern Roman Emperors. Basically, Byzantines allowing some sort of landed co-imperialship centered around a city or a province (as it was made in different romano-germanic kingdoms, generally for more romanized place, as for its happenance in ERE).
It would be tricky, as such landed co-imperialship would be quite a threat for Byzantium, favouring usurpations.

- Speaking of which, revolts as Euleutharius' could led to a small-sized WRE revival, with an exarch proclaiming himself emperor with the pontifical support, but not able to take on Byzantium.
The best way to have it would be to see Byzantium stand with monothelism, favouring religious-political troubles and western reject.
It doesn't looks as particularly maintainable, though, and would ask for Byzantium to be too busy elsewhere : maybe a greater Arab threat?

It's kind of tricky eventually, as for everyone back then, the Roman Empire was and always was what was ruled by the emperor, whatever in Rome or Constantinople. WRE/ERE being historiographical distinction, with no contemporary meaning.

It would ask for Romano-Germans or Italo-Romans a radical mental rupture to consider ERE no longer as imperial or roman.
Furthermore, especially for Romano-Germans, the reputation of Rome wasn't at its best historically, and more advancing in time, more a reject of Roman legacy percieved as tyrannic and more or less pagan. It's why Charlemagne never styled himself "Roman Emperor" but "Emperor ruling over the Roman Empire" a title used after (or sometimes never mentioned) "King of Franks and Lombards" that was still the main title of the Frankish ruler. (Admittedly, it does changes with his son)
 
How likely is the scenario that a conqueror/adventurer sponsored by the Eastern Emperor conquers Italy, and in some sort of ceremony is awarded rulership of the Roman Empire in the west (like a real Donation of Constantine)? Or what other possibilities could exist that allow for a "Roman Empire" to resurge in the west, after Odoaecer (preferably without Justinian too) but before Charlemagne or Otto I ?

The best bet would be to have Justinian realize the impossibility of governing the reconquered west effectively and appointing Belisarius as Emperor of a revived Western Empire. To me this would be the best opportunity to revive the Western Empire and to allow it to receive aid from the Eastern half of the Empire.
 
The best bet would be to have Justinian realize the impossibility of governing the reconquered west effectively and appointing Belisarius as Emperor of a revived Western Empire. To me this would be the best opportunity to revive the Western Empire and to allow it to receive aid from the Eastern half of the Empire.

How would the Bischop of Rome react ?
 
The best bet would be to have Justinian realize the impossibility of governing the reconquered west effectively and appointing Belisarius as Emperor of a revived Western Empire. To me this would be the best opportunity to revive the Western Empire and to allow it to receive aid from the Eastern half of the Empire.

Doing that simply means Belisarius isn't available for future operations. Plus, what difference would it make if the guy in charge of a devastated Italy is called Exarch or Emperor.

As to the OP, you could easily have a situation where the Ostrogoths are sent east, take out Odoacer, and their leader (either of the Theoderics) is appointed magister militum, whilst the official title of emperor remains with either a still alive Julius Nepos or another guy appointed by Zeno.
 
I would suggest if Germanus Justinus who was justinians cousin and the husband of Matasuntha had not died but instead completed his landing in italy. It is likely he could have become western emperor and likely inherited the rest of the roman empire upon justinians death. He was well regarded by both Justinian and goths as well as a capable leader and was likely key to peaceably uniting the romans and the goths.

In otl he died two days before he was supposed to set out to Italy.
 
Doing that simply means Belisarius isn't available for future operations. Plus, what difference would it make if the guy in charge of a devastated Italy is called Exarch or Emperor.

If Belisarius were to be appointed Emperor, then Italy might not be devastated. If it coincides with the Gothic offer to the same office, then the Gothic War is cut from 20 years to 2.
 
If Belisarius were to be appointed Emperor, then Italy might not be devastated. If it coincides with the Gothic offer to the same office, then the Gothic War is cut from 20 years to 2.

What would the offer really mean for him though? Could he Count on the loyalty of the Goths? Would he have been a figurehead? What sort of dissent would he have faced from Goths and Romans?
 
What would the offer really mean for him though? Could he Count on the loyalty of the Goths? Would he have been a figurehead? What sort of dissent would he have faced from Goths and Romans?

A good mystery there. Belisarius always had trouble with his direct subordinates, would the Goths be the same way? On the other hand, he was quite good wth winning over people and with his mercenaries, often Germanic themselves.
 
There are a few problems with Belisarius accepting the Gothic offer working out well:

1. Not all of the Goths were on board with it. Ticinum, where Uraias was based, and Verona, held by Ildibad, both refused to surrender at a time when everyone thought Belisarius accepted. These two were no minor nobles, but men with huge power and influence among the Goths: Uraias managed to persuade the assembly to grant the crown to Ildibad , whilst he became his right hand man. If Belisarius chooses to stay and become emperor, he will have to defeat these two men and the coalition they will surely gather around them.

2. Belisarius' army. Whilst he had shortly been appointed supreme commander for Italy, previous events showed that parts of the army could easily side with one commander against the other, as was the case with Narses. The army itself was also very diverse: you had
i) a freshly arrived force from Dalmatia - never saw Belisarius before in their lives
ii) the heavy cavalry - these men were comparatively well off, and had all their property and families back east (and would not be very willing to give that up)
iii) the Hunnic mercenaries - these had absolutely no problem with B. becoming emperor AS LONG AS HE CONTINUED TO PAY THEM. B himself had no estates in Italy, all his money coming from Justinian's state coffers, and the Huns knew this. Moreover, even if they stuck around initially, they are likely to side with the Gothic nobles (the ones who had the money) once B has difficulties taxing his new subjects in order to pay them
iv) the fleet - I have serious doubts B could force them into joining him. These men probably had some property and families back home in the Aegean sea, and were also aware that siding with B would mean having to face the next fleet Justinian would send after them, whilst remaining loyal carried little drawbacks. If B has no fleet, he will have trouble taking and holding coastal settlements, as happened during the Lombard invasion, when the fleet was instrumental in allowing the Empire to retain control over half the peninsula
v) the local Romans - these men were fighting for their homes, and almost always sided, if given the chance, with the army they thought was least likely to burn down their cities. If B lacks a strong enough presence in the cities, these will switch over to the Empire in a heart beat

3. given points 1. and 2., B will have to fight to secure his rule, and this against both his former country and against the people he was trying to conquer. This will not be cheap, and will force him to levy very harsh taxes. This alienates both Goths and local Romans (making them liable to switch sides), and also leads to 4

4. Belisarius killed many a Goth at this point, and there were probably quite a decent number of Gothic nobles willing to assassinate him at the drop of a hat (assassinations were quite a thing - both Ildibad and Uraias succumbed to that fate)

This is why Belisarius accepting the Gothic offer of emperorship doesn't lead to peace, but to more death and suffering, which WILL weaken Italy. This will most likely entice the Franks to invade afterwards as OTL, further weakening it. At that point, the Lombards will look across the Alps and see easy pickings - the only chance the local elite will have to keep their possessions would be to either side with the massive Lombard host or seek the Empire's protection. If Belisarius is miraculously still around at that point (he would be approaching his 70's), it would be game over for him
 
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