What could Odoacer have done?

What could Odoacer have done to either solidify his position or at the very least improve on the Roman state he seized from Orestes. He was well-liked by the Senate and for the better part of his Patricianship he managed to hold down an Italy which for the last half dozen emperors could barely be controlled without some usurper coming out of the woodwork.

What could Odoacer do to either make Italy a stronger powerbase for himself or anyone who comes after?
 
What could Odoacer have done to either solidify his position or at the very least improve on the Roman state he seized from Orestes. He was well-liked by the Senate and for the better part of his Patricianship he managed to hold down an Italy which for the last half dozen emperors could barely be controlled without some usurper coming out of the woodwork.

What could Odoacer do to either make Italy a stronger powerbase for himself or anyone who comes after?

I am afraid, nothing.
I mean, he could do pretty much nothing.
Pray harder maybe...

A thin layer of non-Roman mercenaries of different origin (mostly Germanic) ruling over a huge Roman population. Hungry, warlike, poor Germanic peoples around. The (Eastern) Roman Empire's too close.
 
I am afraid, nothing.
I mean, he could do pretty much nothing.
Pray harder maybe...

A thin layer of non-Roman mercenaries of different origin (mostly Germanic) ruling over a huge Roman population. Hungry, warlike, poor Germanic peoples around. The (Eastern) Roman Empire's too close.

Well, if he cultivates good relations with the civic elite and all the stuff that Theodoric did right, there's no reason why his guys shouldn't survive until the *Justinian reconquest, like the Vandals and Ostrogoths. And if the ERE focuses solidly on the Sassanians, then they may survive as long as that other 'thin layer of non-Roman mercenaries', the Franks.
 
Well, if he cultivates good relations with the civic elite and all the stuff that Theodoric did right, there's no reason why his guys shouldn't survive until the *Justinian reconquest, like the Vandals and Ostrogoths. And if the ERE focuses solidly on the Sassanians, then they may survive as long as that other 'thin layer of non-Roman mercenaries', the Franks.

The Franks were not that thin, and that was a tribe with self-identity, with women, kids, traditions, mothers, fathers, grandparents etc
In Italy it was just a bunch of paid nobodies... some of whom might even dream about saving some money and going home to somewhere in Germany or wherever his old ma was.
 
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I would suggests Odoacer to kill Theodorix first during thir supper
В общем, пусть на праздничном пиру не Теодорих Одоакра надвое рассечет, а наоборот

I also think about what would be if Odoacer keep the power in Italy
 
What could Odoacer have done?

option 1.
Give clear and significant support to Zeno and denounce Illus at every opportunity. By siding with Illus, Odoacer, as they say, 'chose poorly'.

option 2.
Somehow convince Zeno he is sorry.

option 3.
Defeat Theoderic the Amal and incorporate his people into his own state.


What exterior forces could have aided Odoacer?
option 1.
Theoderic Strabo doesn't die in a freak accident and the Ostrogoths stay divided

option 2.
Some (or all) of the Ostrogoths are settled in the East

option 3.
Illus wins.

option 4.
Theoderic the Amal (or whoever rules the Ostrogoths) refuses to go to Italy and stays put in Thrace.


I think that just about covers it.
 
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