Julius Nepos

Penultimate Roman Emperor; ruled from 474-475, and up until 480 in exile in Dalmatia. Nepos was born in Dalmatia (now Croatia), the son of the army general Nepotianus (d. 465). His family was well-established; many members of his family had prominent military backgrounds. After the death of Magister Militum Marcellinus, Nepos was appointed as his successor in the position. In 473, after the death of emperor Olybrius, there was a power struggle, with the Eastern Roman Emperor Leo I backing Nepos and the Burgundian king Gundobad backing Glycerius, the commander of the guard. Nepos was sent by sea to Italy to fight Glycerius, who immediately abdicated and surrendered the throne to Nepos. After a string of military setbacks in Gaul, Nepos appointed a prominent officer named Orestes as Magister Militum. Orestes turned on Nepos, marching with his army to Ravenna and forcing Nepos to flee to Dalmatia. Even after being forced into exile, Nepos continued to claim the imperial titles. He was still recognized in the East, where Orestes and his son Romulus were viewed as illegitimate rulers. Nepos attempted to gain the favor of both the Byzantine Emperor Leo I and the barbarian general Odoacer in the hopes of being restored as emperor, but to no avail. Nepos lived out the remainder of his days in Diocletian's Palace, where he was murdered in 480. In all likelihood, he is buried there.