Survival of the Roman Empire

Points of Divergence
1128 AUC(475 AD)

The Retaking of the Western Empire
Julius Nepos, Emperor of the Western Roman Empire is overthrown by Magister militum, Orestes, who then proceeds to installing his son Romulus Augustus as Emperor. Legally, Nepos is still the Western Emperor and Romulus is not recognized by the Eastern Emperor Zeno.

The next year, Orestes and Romulus are killed by Germanic mercenaries who've become dissatisfied at not being allowed to take lands in Italy. The Germanic chieftain Odacer then takes control of all Italy.

Julius Nepos appears in Constantinople and requests the help of Zeno in order to rightfully return Roman rule to Italy and to regain his throne. It is unknown what Nepos says but he succesfully convinces Zeno to help him in this goal. Together they raise up a massive army and march on Italy.

In 1131 AUC the armies of Zeno and Nepos take Rome and force Odacer and his forces south. The people of Rome rejoice and the little left over Roman Senators declare Zeno and Nepos as saviors of Rome.

Zeno and Nepos then further peruse Odacer south and he eventually flees to Sicily. Later in 1132 AUC Odacer's army is crushed at the Battle of Messena and he and his commanding officers are crucified to make an example of what happen when Roman Rule is defied.