1 – this was the last time a man who was not someone’s puppet was emperor in the west
2 – this is the last time an Emperor who actually had control over policy ruled over Italy
3 – this is commonly accepted to be the end; it is the last time a person claiming to be western emperor “reigned” in Italy
4 – if we accept that Romulus Augustulus was the last ‘real’ emperor, then the only one who could accept his resignation was his senior colleague in the east. The problem with this is that Zeno clearly stated that Julius Nepos is still western emperor, a fact which both Odoacer and the Senate acknowledged. Both Romulus Augustulus and Nepos (whilst in exile) had their face on the official coins and both had exactly the same influence on policy in Italy, i.e. none. The only difference was where they lived, but Roman Emperor had lived outside Italy on many occasions up until this point, so that’s a none issue
5 – as said, Nepos in Diocletian’s palace near Salona was as much of an Emperor of the west between 476-480 as Romulus Augustulus was in his chambers in Ravenna in 475-476. It should follow that his death would mark the end of the western empire. The problem is that there had been instances before when for a time there was no Emperor – those were resolved by someone with authority (Senate & magister militum in the west; eastern emperor; etc) nominating a successor.
6 – legally, this is I think the moment it may have ended, given the reasoning above; I am however inclined to be persuaded otherwise
7 – this is when Nepos’ rump state was incorporated in Odoacers realm and the officers who controled it defeated . I don’t really see this as important, but Ovida was a successor of sorts to Nepos
8 – the last territory of note in the west to be ruled by a Roman; technically, Syagrius had been under Nepos' rule and, as the last Roman leader of (somewhat) Roman field armies, he had the possibility of declaring himself emperor (or having his troops acclaim him as such) if he had wished
2 – this is the last time an Emperor who actually had control over policy ruled over Italy
3 – this is commonly accepted to be the end; it is the last time a person claiming to be western emperor “reigned” in Italy
4 – if we accept that Romulus Augustulus was the last ‘real’ emperor, then the only one who could accept his resignation was his senior colleague in the east. The problem with this is that Zeno clearly stated that Julius Nepos is still western emperor, a fact which both Odoacer and the Senate acknowledged. Both Romulus Augustulus and Nepos (whilst in exile) had their face on the official coins and both had exactly the same influence on policy in Italy, i.e. none. The only difference was where they lived, but Roman Emperor had lived outside Italy on many occasions up until this point, so that’s a none issue
5 – as said, Nepos in Diocletian’s palace near Salona was as much of an Emperor of the west between 476-480 as Romulus Augustulus was in his chambers in Ravenna in 475-476. It should follow that his death would mark the end of the western empire. The problem is that there had been instances before when for a time there was no Emperor – those were resolved by someone with authority (Senate & magister militum in the west; eastern emperor; etc) nominating a successor.
6 – legally, this is I think the moment it may have ended, given the reasoning above; I am however inclined to be persuaded otherwise
7 – this is when Nepos’ rump state was incorporated in Odoacers realm and the officers who controled it defeated . I don’t really see this as important, but Ovida was a successor of sorts to Nepos
8 – the last territory of note in the west to be ruled by a Roman; technically, Syagrius had been under Nepos' rule and, as the last Roman leader of (somewhat) Roman field armies, he had the possibility of declaring himself emperor (or having his troops acclaim him as such) if he had wished
