Empress
Priscus and John of Antioch report that Geiseric entertained the idea of placing Olybrius on the throne of the Western Roman Empire, at least as early as the death of Majorian in 461. Due to his marriage to Placidia, Olybrius could be considered both an heir to Theodosian dynasty and a member of the Vandal royal family through marriage. In 465, Libius Severus died and Geiseric again promoted Olybrius as his candidate for the Western throne. Procopius report that Olybrius maintained a decent relationship with his Vandal supporter.
In 472, Anthemius (Western Roman Emperor) was involved in a civil war with his magister militum and son-in-law Ricimer. According to John Malalas, Leo decided to intervene and send Olybrius to quell the hostilities. Olybrius had also been instructed to offer a peace treaty to Geiseric on behalf of Leo. However, Leo had also send Modestus, another messenger, to Anthemius with a different set of instructions. This message asked Anthemius to arrange the deaths of both Ricimer and Olybrius. But Ricimer had placed Goths loyal to him at the ports of Rome and Ostia Antica. They intercepted Modestus, delivering him and his message to Ricimer himself. Ricimer revealed the contents of the message to Olybrius and the two men formed a new alliance against their former masters.
In April or May 472, Olybrius was proclaimed emperor and the civil war proper begun. John of Antioch claims that Anthemius was supported by most of the Romans while Ricimer by the barbarian mercenaries. Odoacer, leader of the foederati joined the cause of Ricimer. Gundobad, a nephew of Ricimer, also joined the cause of his kinsman. According to John Malalas and John of Antioch, Gundobad managed to slay Anthemius and end the conflict. They claim that Anthemius had been abandoned by his last followers and sought refuge in a church. Gundonad entered the church and killed him anyway. The two chroniclers differ on the location of the event. Malalas places it in the Old St. Peter's Basilica while the Antiochean places it in Santa Maria in Trastevere. However Cassiodorus, Marcellinus Comes and Procopius report that Anthemius was killed by Ricimer himself. The Chronica Gallica of 511 mentions both theories, uncertain of which of the two men had done the deed.
On 11 July 472, Anthemius died and Olybrius became the sole Western Roman Emperor by default. Placidia became his Empress without actually leaving Constantinople, remaining there with their daughter. On 18 August, 472, Ricimer died of malignant fever. Paul the Deacon reports that Olybrius next appointed Gundobad as his Patrician.
On 22 October or 2 November, 472, Olybrius himself died. John of Antioch attributes his death to dropsy. Cassiodorus and Magnus Felix Ennodius report the death without noting a cause. All report on how brief the reign was.
Placidia was probably the last Western Roman Empress known by name. Glycerius and Romulus Augustus were not noted to have been married. Julius Nepos had married a niece of Verina and Leo I. Her name however is not mentioned.
| Royal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Marcia Euphemia |
Western Roman Empress consort 472 |
Succeeded by Wife of Julius Nepos |
Read more about this topic: Placidia
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