On This Day In Roman History, March 3
Flavius Gundobadus, the successor of Ricimer, nominates Flavius Glycerius in Ravenna as the Emperor of the Western Roman Empire on March 3, 473 CE. Glycerius had found his initial power within the Imperial court at Ravenna and eventually achieved the rank of comes domesticorum. In the prior year, a civil war between Emperor Anthemius and his commander-in-chief Ricimer occurred, resulting in the death of Anthemius and the political elevation of Ricimer. Shortly after, in late 472, Ricimer would die leaving his nephew, Gundobad, to appoint a successor. With Leo I waiting to appoint any new Emperor in the West, the Germanic Magister militum elects Glycerius as Emperor.
Did you know?
Glycerius was not recognized by the Eastern Imperial court. A man named Julius Nepos would eventually be chosen by Leo I due to his relations with the Eastern Empress Verina. During the entire winter of his reign, Glycerius attempted to negotiate with the Eastern Roman Empire in an attempt to validate his position. This was most prominently seen in his action of not choosing a second Consul in order to allow Leo II to take the position.
Pictured: Coin depicting Glycerius. Photo by Wikipedia user TcfkaPanairjdde, via Wikimedia Commons.
When Julius Nepos sailed for Italy in the spring of 474, Glycerius chose to seek refuge in Rome. Without the support of the Gallic-Romans, he peacefully surrendered himself despite controlling a large army. He was allowed to live and served out the rest of his life as a Bishop in Dalmatia until his death in 480.
Little is known about Glycerius' life and one of the only surviving accounts is found in a biography written by Epiphanius, the Bishop of Pavia.
Opinion
Welcome to my daily opinion! In a rare event concerning Roman history, a usurper with substantial power both militarily and politically surrenders peacefully and with no bloodshed. Glycerius knew just how precarious his position was from the start and if there is one thing he knew well it was when to call it quits. Without the support of Rome's Senate, and no other Gothic friendlies, I'd say he got off easier than any usurper in Roman history. A peaceful death as a religious leader until ripe old age of 60? Glycerius must have been a hell of a negotiator.
Sources
Canduci, A. (2010). The immortal emperors: two thousand years of imperial Roman history. Sydney: Murdoch Books.
Gordon, C. D., Boak, A. E., & Potter, D. S. (2013). The age of Attila fifth-century Byzantium and the Barbarians. Ann Arbor (Mich.): University of Michigan press.
Meijer, F. (2004). Emperors don't die in bed. London: Routledge.
O'Flynn, J. M. (1983). Generalissimos of the Western Roman Empire. University of Alberta.
Further Reading:
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