A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. By various writers. Ed. by William Smith. Illustrated by numerous engravings on wood.

ODOACER. ODYSSEUS 11
and-a king of the Turcilingi, perhaps because he secretly, and perhaps openly, supported by the
was in after years at the head of an army composed emperor Zeno, resolved to wrest Italy from him,
of those nations. His father Edecon having been and establish the Gothic power at Rome. Theoslain in the battle with the East Goths, where the doric opened his first campaign in 489, and in a
power of the Scyrri was broken (about 463), Odoa- bloody battle foiled his rival on the banks of the
cer, now at the head of the reduced tribe, led the Isontius (Isonzo) not far from Aquileia (28th of
life of a robber in Pannonia and Noricum, but August, 489). Odoacer, retreating, offered a
finally entered the imperial guard at Rome and rose second battle at Verona, and again lost the day,
to eminence. In 475 Orestes had his son Romulus whereupon he hastened to Rome in order to perAugustulus chosen emperor of Rome. The count- suade its inhabitants to rise for his defence. But
less bands of barbarians of all nations, with the aid the Romans, preferring to stand their own chance
of which Orestes had accomplished his object, de- in the conflict, shut the gates of the city at his apmanded in reward one third of the soil of Italy to proach, and Odoacer consequently retraced his
be divided among them. When Orestes declined steps into Northern Italy, and threw himself into
to comply with their wishes, Odoacer turned the Ravenna. Thence he sallied out, defeated the
discontent of the mercenaries to his own profit, van of the Gothic army, and compelled Theodoric
and promised to allot them the desired portion of to seek refuge within the walls of Pavia, but the
Italy, if they would assist him to wrest the whole Gothic king soon succeeded in rallying his forces,
from the nominal emperor Romulus Augustulus and vanquished Odoacer a third time in a decisive
and his father Orestes, a condition which the mna- battle on the river Adda (490). Odoacer again
jority of those reckless warriors readily accepted. took refuge in Ravenna, and Theodoric laid siege
Thus arose a war between Odoacer and Orestes. to that city, while his lieutenants gradually reThe latter, after suffering some defeats, retired duced the whole kingdom of Italy. After an ohwithin the walls of Pavia; but Odoacer took the stinate defence of nearly three years Odoacer at
town by assault, made Orestes prisoner, and put last capitulated on condition that in future he and
him to death. St. Epiphanits, bishop of Pavia, Theodoric should be joint kings of Italy: the treaty
was present at the siege, whence his life by Enno- was confirmed by oaths taken by both parties (27th
dius becomes an important source for the history of February, 493). Theodoric, however, soon broke
of these times. Paul, the brother of Orestes, was his oath; and on the 5th of March following,
slain at Ravenna. Romulus Augustulus was now Odoacer was murdered by the hand, or command,
deposed and banished by the victor, who henceforth of his more fortunate rival. Theodoric succeeded
reigned over Italy with the title of king, for he him as sole king of Italy. ~(Jornandes, De
never assumed that of emperor (476). WNith the Reynor. Success. p. 59, 60, De Reb. Goth. p. 128,
deposition of Romulus Augustulus, the Roman em- 129, 140, 141; Paul. Diacon. De Gest. Lonqob.
pire in the West came to an end. [AUGUSTULUS.] i. 19; Greg. Turon. Hist. Franc. ii. 18, &c.;
In order to establish himself the better on the Procop. Bell. Goth. i. 1, ii. 6; Ennodius, Vita
throne, Odoacer sent ambassadors to the emperor Epiphan., especially pp. 386-389; Cassiodor.
Zeno, requesting the latter to grant him the title of Ch/ron. ad an. 376, &c., Epist. i. 18; Evagrius, ii.
patrician, and acknowledge him as regent of the 16.) [W. P.]
diocese of Italy. Pleased with the seeming sub- ODYSSEUS ('OveOsro'es), or, as the Latin
missiveness of the conqueror of that country, Zeno writers call him, Ulysses, Ulyxes or Ulixes, one of
granted the request, though after some hesitation. the principal Greek heroes in the Trojan war.
Odoacer took up his residence at Ravenna, and, According to the Homeric account, he was the'
according to his promise, divided one third of the grandson of Arcesius, and a soin of Laertes and
soil of Italy among his- barbarian followers, a mea- Anticleia, the daughter of Autolycus, and brother
sure which was perhaps less cruel towards the of Ctimene. He was married to Penelope, the
Italians than it would appear, since the country daughter of Icarius, by whom he became the
was depopulated, and many estates without an father of Telemachus. (Od. i. 329, xi. 85, xv. 362.
owner and lying waste. Oin the whole, Odoacer, xvi. 118, &c.) But according to a later tradition
who was the first barbarian that sat on the throne he was a son of Sisyphus and Anticleia, who, when
of Italy, was a wise, well-disposed, and energetic with child by Sisyphus, was married to La'rtes,
ruler, and knew how to establish order within and and thus gave birth to him either after her arrival
peace without hisdominions, as far as the miserable in Ithaca, or on her way thither. (Soph. Phil.
moral condition of the Romans, the reckless spirit 417, with the Schol., Ajcax, 190; Ov. lMIet. xiii.
of their barbarian masters, and the daring rapa- 32, Ars AAm. iii. 313; Plut. Quaest. Grace. 43;
city of their neighbours were compatible with a comp. Hem. J1. iii. 201.) Later traditions further
settled state of things. Among his measures at state that besides Telemachus, Arcesilaus or Ptohome we may mention the re-establishment of the liporthus was likewise a son of his by Penelope;
consulate as a proof of his wisdom, as his intention and that further, by Circe he became the father of
-was to reconcile the remains of the old Romans to Agrius, Latinus, Telegonus and Cassiphone, and
the new government. Odoacer reunited Dalmatia by Calypso of Nausithous and Nausinous or
with the kingdom of Italy after a sharp contest, Auson, Telegonus and Teledamus, and lastly
in which he employed both a fleet and an army. by Euippe of Leontophron, Doryclus or EuryHe also made a successful campaign in 487 against alus. (Hes. Theog. 1013, &c.; Eustath. ad Hoem.
the Rugians, who endeavoured to make themselves p. 1796; Schol. ad Lycophr. 795; Parthen.
independent in Noricum: their king Feletheus Erot. 3; Paus. viii. 12. ~ 3; Serv. ad Aen. iii.
(PEheba or Fava) and many of their nobles were 171.) According to an Italian tradition Odysseus
taken prisoners, and the rest yielded to his rule. was by Circe the father of Remus, Antias and
Unfortunately for him there rose among the bar- Ardeas. (Dionys. i. 72.) The name Odysseus
bariaims beyond the Alps a mall still greater than is said to signify thie anr. y (Hom. Od. xix. 406,
Odoacer. Theodoric, king of the East Goths, who, &c.), and among the T'yrrhenians he is mid to