September 27, 489 CE: Odoacer (left coin), the King of Italy since the overthrow of young Romulus Augustus and the official end of the Western Roman Empire, attacks Ostrogothic leader Theodoric the Great (right coin) at the Battle of Verona, and is defeated again as he flees to Ravenna while Theodoric captures Pavia and Milan. However, Theodorics progress was slowed at this point. He needed to reach Ravenna and capture Odoacer to declare a decisive victory in the West. This would not happen until 493 CE after laying siege to Ravenna for four YEARS. John, Bishop of Ravenna, negotiated a treaty between the two that would provide for joint rule. Theodoric entered Ravenna to have a banquet with Odoacer in celebration of the truce. But as they ate, Theodoric drew his sword and laid into Odoacer. Odoacer cried, Where is God? In response, Theodoric simply said, This is what you did to my friends. With Odoacers last breath, Theodoric became the sole ruler. Odoacers family and loyal soldiers were hunted down and eliminated.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Sep 2014 07:32:40 +0000
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