Julius Nepos: A Historical Biography
The last Roman Emperor who tried to restore the Western Roman Empire.
How Do You Learn Best?
Learn by Reading
Immerse yourself in the 10-minute visual lesson for a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
Learn by Reviewing
Jump directly to the key facts, timeline, and vocabulary lists to build a solid foundation of details.
Learn by Doing
Challenge yourself! Jump straight into the interactive games to learn by trial, error, and discovery.
Julius Nepos: A Historical Biography in 10 Minutes
Introduction
Glycerius
Orestes
Romulus Augustulus
The Rise of Julius Nepos
Consolidation of Power
Challenges and Revolts
Flight from Rome
Death
Legacy
Lesson Details & Resources
In a Nutshell
- Who: Roman Emperor
- When: Lived: c. 430 – c. 480
- Known For: Being the last Western Roman Emperor (disputed)
- Legacy: His brief reign marked the end of Roman rule in the West
Timeline of Julius Nepos: A Historical Biography
Julius Nepos is appointed as Western Roman Emperor by Eastern Roman Emperor Leo I
Julius Nepos marries the daughter of the Eastern Roman Emperor Leo I
Romulus Augustulus, the last Western Roman Emperor, is deposed by Odoacer
Julius Nepos flees to Dalmatia and establishes his court in Salona
Julius Nepos regains control of Dalmatia
Julius Nepos issues coins in his name in Dalmatia
Julius Nepos makes an alliance with the Eastern Roman Empire against Odoacer
Julius Nepos is assassinated in Dalmatia
Odoacer becomes the ruler of Italy
Julius Nepos is buried in a church in Salona
Odoacer sends the imperial regalia of the Western Roman Empire to Constantinople
The Western Roman Empire officially comes to an end with the death of Julius Nepos
Julius Nepos is remembered as the last legitimate Western Roman Emperor
Julius Nepos is considered a hero in Dalmatia for resisting Odoacer's rule
Julius Nepos is honored by the Eastern Roman Empire for his loyalty and service
Julius Nepos' legacy continues to be debated by historians
Julius Nepos' reign is seen as a transitional period between the Western and Eastern Roman Empires
Julius Nepos' descendants continue to play a role in the politics of Dalmatia
Julius Nepos' memory is preserved in local folklore and traditions in Dalmatia
Julius Nepos' tomb in Salona becomes a pilgrimage site for his supporters
Vocabulary List
- Emperor
- Julius Nepos was a Roman emperor who ruled from 474 to 475 AD.
- Usurper
- Some historians consider Julius Nepos a usurper, as he took the throne from the previous emperor Glycerius.
- Exile
- After being deposed as emperor, Julius Nepos fled to Dalmatia where he lived in exile.
- Reign
- Julius Nepos' reign as emperor was short-lived, lasting only about a year.
- Legacy
- Julius Nepos' legacy is debated among historians, with some viewing him as a legitimate emperor and others as a usurper.
- Dalmatia
- Julius Nepos sought refuge in Dalmatia after being deposed as emperor.
- Glycerius
- Julius Nepos took the throne from the previous emperor Glycerius.
- Depose
- Julius Nepos was deposed as emperor in 475 AD.
- Roman Empire
- Julius Nepos was a ruler of the Roman Empire in the 5th century.
- History
- Julius Nepos is a figure of interest in Roman history due to his brief reign as emperor.
Key Facts
This is the information used in the fact matching game
- Julius Nepos was a Roman Emperor who ruled from AD 474 to AD 475.
- He was born in AD 430 in Dalmatia, which is now part of modern-day Croatia.
- Julius Nepos was appointed as the Western Roman Emperor by the Eastern Roman Emperor Leo I.
- He was married to a woman named Romulus, who was the sister of the Roman general Marcellinus.
- During his reign, Julius Nepos faced numerous revolts and challenges to his authority.
- In AD 475, Julius Nepos was deposed by the general Orestes, who proclaimed his own son Romulus Augustulus as the new Roman Emperor.
- After being deposed, Julius Nepos fled to Dalmatia where he continued to claim the title of Roman Emperor.
- He received support from the Eastern Roman Empire, but was unable to reclaim the Western Roman throne.
- Julius Nepos was assassinated in AD 480 by two of his own soldiers, who were bribed by the usurper Glycerius.
- Despite his turbulent reign, Julius Nepos is remembered as a legitimate Roman Emperor by historians.
- He was the last Western Roman Emperor to be recognized as such by the Eastern Roman Empire.
- Julius Nepos was known for his efforts to restore stability and order in the Western Roman Empire.
- He issued laws to protect the rights of tenants and enacted reforms to improve the economy.
- Julius Nepos also sought to strengthen the military and secure the borders of the Roman Empire.
- He faced opposition from various factions within the empire, including the powerful barbarian tribes.
- Despite his efforts, Julius Nepos was unable to prevent the eventual collapse of the Western Roman Empire.
- His reign marked the end of the line of Roman Emperors who were descended from the original imperial family.
- Julius Nepos was remembered as a just and fair ruler who tried to govern for the benefit of all his subjects.
- He is often overshadowed by the more famous Roman Emperors, but his reign had a significant impact on the history of the empire.
- Julius Nepos is a fascinating figure in Roman history whose legacy continues to be debated and studied by scholars.
Analysis & Significance
Major Accomplishments
Julius Nepos was a skilled military leader who successfully defended the Western Roman Empire against barbarian invasions during his reign as Emperor from 474 to 475 AD. He also negotiated treaties with various barbarian tribes to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Impact on the World
Julius Nepos’ efforts to protect the Western Roman Empire from external threats helped to preserve the integrity of the empire for a brief period. His diplomatic skills in negotiating treaties with barbarian tribes set a precedent for future leaders in dealing with external powers and maintaining stability in times of crisis.
Enduring Legacy
Today, Julius Nepos is remembered as a resilient leader who faced immense challenges during his short reign as Emperor. His legacy as a defender of the Western Roman Empire and a skilled diplomat continues to inspire leaders to prioritize the protection and stability of their nations in the face of adversity.
Julius Nepos: A Historical Biography Games
Take Your Learning Offline
Want a convenient, print-ready study guide for this lesson? Become a Memory Wizards Pro member to unlock the downloadable " Memory Scrolls" for this topic and our entire library!
- ✓ Complete Vocabulary Lists
- ✓ Key Facts & Timelines
- ✓ Beautifully Formatted for Print & Mobile
