CHAPTER X
ROME IN THE SIXTH CENTURY: WAR WITH THE GOTHS IN ITALY
In the third quarter of the fifth century, the Teutonic invaders
of the Western Empire had established themselves
firmly in all its provinces, and wielded a predominant power
in the government. In the year 476 Odovacar was the head
of the barbarians in Italy, whilst a youth named Romulus
Augustulus was formally recognized as Emperor.[1] The
potent barbarian abolished the Imperial throne and relegated
its occupant to a decent exile in the castle of Lucullus in
Campania.[2] At the same time he deprecated the anger of
Zeno, the Eastern Emperor, and forwarded the Imperial
regalia to Constantinople in token of his submission to him
as a vassal.[3]
A few years later Theodoric, the young King of the East Goths, exercised an ascendancy in Thrace almost equal to that of Odovacar in Italy, and ravaged the country up to the gates of the capital. Zeno effected an accommodation with him, nominated him as Master of Soldiers at Court,
