| − | Romulus Augustulus was the last emperor of the [[Roman Empire]]. His name translates to, "Romulus, the Little Augustus," a reference to his young age. | + | '''Romulus Augustus''', nicknamed Romulus Augustulus, was the last emperor of the [[Roman Empire]]. His nickname translates to, "Romulus, the Little Augustus," a reference to his young age or small amount of power. |
| − | He was put on the throne by his father, a military general in 475, after a coup against the previous Emperor, Julius Nepos. He was deposed in AD 476, after a 'reign' of less than one year, by the Germanic king Odoacer. This marked the end of the Roman Empire in the West, although the [[Byzantine Empire]] continued in the East, ruled from [[Constantinople]] for almost 1000 more years. | + | He was put on the throne in 475 by his father, [[Orestes]], a military general, after a coup against the previous Emperor, [[Julius Nepos]]. He was deposed in AD 476, after a 'reign' of less than one year, by the Germanic king [[Odoacer]]. Odoacer's decision to forego taking the title Emperor marked the end of the Roman Empire in the West. In truth the Empire was only a shell of its former self in its last years, having no real influence outside of Italy. |