475 Odoacer or Odovaker, leader of the Herulians, a military commander in the employ of the emperor, is moved by the act of Orestes in deposing Julius Nepos to attack Orestes in Pavia. Capture and execution of Orestes.
476 This leads to the deposition of the emperor Romulus Augustulus, son of Orestes, and Odoacer is proclaimed king. The emperor Zeno at Constantinople, who, with his successors, remains only titular emperor of Italy, confers the patrician dignity on Odoacer.
488 Zeno commissions Theodoric, king of the Ostrogoths, to undertake the affairs of Italy.
493 Defeat of Odoacer by Theodoric the Great at Ravenna. Theodoric kills Odoacer and becomes king of Italy. He settles at Ravenna, the capital of the Western Empire since the time of Honorius, and assumes name of Flavius. Is recognised by Anastasius at Constantinople. Though professing allegiance to Rome, Theodoric establishes an independent monarchy.
507 After defeat of the Visigoths at Voulon, Theodoric assists them in defeating the Merovingians at Arles. Theodoric adds most of the Visigothic possessions in France to his kingdom. He also governs the Visigothic kingdom for his young grandson Amalaric.
524 Theodoric has the philosopher Boethius and his father-in-law Symmachus put to death for their efforts on behalf of Albinus.
526 Death of Theodoric. His young grandson Athalaric succeeds under regency of his mother, Amalasuntha.
534 Athalaric dies of the plague. Theodatus or Theodahad, a nephew of Theodoric, is elected king. He murders Athalaric’s mother, and in consequence brings on a war with the empire.
536 Theodatus defeated by Belisarius and killed by his own soldiers. Witiges is elected king. Belisarius continues the war against the Ostrogoths.