Orestes (father of Romulus Augustulus)

Orestes (died 476 AD) was a Roman soldier and statesman who played a significant role in the final years of the Western Roman Empire. He is best known as the father of Romulus Augustulus, the last Roman Emperor in the West.

Originally of Pannonian Roman origin, Orestes served as a secretary and, later, a general under the Western Roman Emperor Julius Nepos. In 475 AD, Orestes was sent to Ravenna, the capital of the Western Roman Empire, to command the Roman army. However, he betrayed Nepos and led a revolt of barbarian soldiers (primarily Heruli, Scirians, and Turcilingi) who were dissatisfied with the land grants they had received.

Orestes marched on Ravenna, forcing Julius Nepos to flee to Dalmatia. He then proclaimed his own son, Romulus, as emperor on October 31, 475 AD. However, Orestes himself held the real power, acting as de facto ruler of the West. Because Romulus was so young, he was mockingly nicknamed "Augustulus" ("Little Augustus").

Orestes' reign was short-lived. He failed to secure recognition from the Eastern Roman Emperor Zeno, and his refusal to grant land settlements to his barbarian troops led to another revolt. In 476 AD, Odoacer, the leader of the Heruli, defeated and killed Orestes near Piacenza. Odoacer then deposed Romulus Augustulus, marking the traditional end of the Western Roman Empire.