Res Gestae

It is said of him that he was of even superhuman speed as a

A plot was made against him by Basiliscus, himself a senator of high distinction.[*](He was the brother of Varina, the widow of Leo the Great.) As soon as Zeno learned of the plot, he took some of his wealth and went to Isauria. But soon after his departure Basiliscus, who, as was said, was plotting against him, seized upon the imperial power.

Basiliscus ruled for two years. Zeno strengthened the Isaurians within the province; then he sent to the city of Nova,[*](In Moesia on the Danube.) where Theodoric, the general of the Goths and son of Walamericus, was stationed, and invited him to render him relief against Basiliscus. Then he came back[*](See § 36, note 9, where we have a sure example; sometimes, as here, the use is less obvious, though probable.) to Constantinople after two years, brought an attacking force against the city, and laid siege to it.

But because the senate and people feared Zeno, to prevent the city from suffering any harm they deserted Basiliscus, opened the gates, and all surrendered to Zeno. Basiliscus fled to a church and took refuge within the baptistery with his wife and his sons. After Zeno had given him a pledge confirmed by oath that his blood would not be shed,[*](An evasive way of pretending to spare his life, which was kept in the letter, but not in the spirit.) he came out and was shut up with his wife and children in a dry cistern,[*](According to others, in a fortress of Cappadocia.) where they all died of cold.

Zeno remembered the affection felt for him by the senate and people;

Odoacar, of whom we have made mention above,[*](8, 37.) presently deposed Augustulus from the rule and was made king; he remained on the throne for thirteen years. His father was named Edico,[*](Jordanes calls him Edeko.) and Odoacar is also mentioned in the books[*](These are still extant.) on The Life of Saint Severinus, a Pannonian monk, who gave him advice and predicted his future royal power.

In that place you find the following words: When some barbarians[*](They were Goths.) were on their way to Italy, they turned aside and went to Severinus’ abode with a view to earning his benediction; among them also came Odoacar, who afterwards ruled in Italy, a youth of tall stature, but very poorly clad; and when he bowed his head, in order that it might not touch the roof of the very low cell, he learned from the man of God that he would attain glory. And as Odoacar bade him farewell, Severinus said: Go on to Italy; go on, now clad in paltry skins, but soon to be able to give great gifts to many.

Meanwhile, as the servant of God had predicted to him, as soon as Odoacar entered Italy he received the royal power. At that same time, after becoming king, Odoacar recalled the prophecy which he had heard from the holy man, and at once addressed to him a friendly letter, wherein he respectfully offered to grant his wish, should he think there was anything worth while to ask. Accordingly the man

After that, King Odoacar made war on the Rugi,[*](Living in what was in modern times Austria and Moravia.) and in a second campaign vanquished and utterly destroyed them. Then, since he was a man of good intentions and favoured the Arian[*](The correct spelling is Arian, from Arius, but the ignotus auctor, as well as some other late writers, spelled it Arrius, after the analogy of numerous Roman gentile names (T.L.L. ii. 507, 59). It seems best to use Arrius in the text. Arius in the translation. On his sect, see note, p. 569.) sect, it happened that once, when in the presence of the holy man many nobles, as often happens, were praising and flattering the said king, as men will do, he asked what king they had extolled with such high commendations. And when they replied Odoacar, he said Odoacar is safe for between thirteen and fourteen years, thus, of course, indicating the years of his safe reign.

Zeno accordingly rewarded Theodoric for his support, made him a patrician[*](See § 36, note 3.) and a consul, gave him a great sum of money, and sent him to Italy. Theodoric stipulated with him, that if Odoacar should be vanquished, in return for his own labours in Odoacar’s place he should rule in his stead only until the arrival of Zeno. Therefore, when the patrician Theodoric came from the city of Nova with the Gothic people, he was sent by the emperor Zeno from the regions of the Orient, in order to defend Italy for him.

As Theodoric was on his way, Odoacar met him at the river Sontius,[*](The modern Isonzo.) engaged in battle with him

Theodoric the patrician went on to Mediolanum, and the most of Odoacar’s army surrendered to him, including Tufa, his general-in-chief, whom Odoacar had appointed, along with his other high officials, on the 1st of April. In that same year Tufa, the commanding general, was sent by Theodoric to Ravenna against Odoacar.

Tufa came to Faventia,[*](A town of Gallia Cispadana on the via Aenmilia, modern Faenza.) and with the army with which he had been sent besieged Odoacar. The latter left Ravenna and came to Faventia, where Tufa handed over to him the high officers of the patrician Theodoric, who were put in irons and taken to Ravenna.

The consulship of Faustus and Longinus.[*](490.) When these were consuls, King Odoacar marched out from Cremona and went to Mediolanum. Then the Visigoths came to the help of Theodoric, and a battle was fought on the 11th of August on the bank of the river Addua,[*](A large river of Gallia Transpadana, flowing through Lake Larius (Como) into the Po, modern Adda.) where many fell on both sides; Pierius, commander of the household troops, was slain, and Odoacar fled to Ravenna. The patrician Theodoric soon followed him, came to the Pine Grove,[*](See § 37, note 3.) and made a camp there; then he kept Odoacar in a state of siege for three

The consulship[*](491.) of Olybrius, vir clarissimus. In his consulship King Odoacar sallied forth from Ravenna by night, entered into the Pine Grove with the Heruli, and attacked the fortified camp of the patrician Theodoric. The losses were great on both sides, and Levila, Odoacar’s commander-in-chief, fled and lost his life in the river Bedens[*](Also called Bidens, the modern Bedese, or Ronco.) ; Odoacar was defeated and fled to Ravenna on the 15th of July. Then Odoacar was forced to give his son Thelanes to Theodoric as a hostage, first receiving a pledge that his blood would be spared.[*](See § 43, note 6. Here neither spirit nor letter was kept.)

So Theodoric entered Ravenna, and after several days Odoacar laid a snare for him: but Theodoric discovered him in the palace and forestalled him, then caught him off his guard and with his own hand slew him with a sword as he was coming into the Laurel Grove.[*](Apparently in, or near, Ravenna; cf. Pinetam, and see § 57, below, which implies that Theodoric killed Odoacar in Ravenna. According to A. Sleumer, Kirchenlatein. Wörterbuch (1926), s.v., Lauretum was a city near Ancona, but he does not cite this passage.)

On the same day, all of Odoacar’s army who could be found anywhere were killed by order of Theodoric, as well as all of his family. This same year the emperor Zeno died at Constantinople, and Anastasius was made emperor.