Sueve, of considerable ability, who for some time managed the affairs
of the Empire, making and unmaking its monarchs at pleasure. After the
removal of Avítus, ten months were allowed to elapse before a
successor was appointed; and then the crown was bestowed upon
MAJORIAN (457-461). SEVÉRUS followed him, a man too weak to interfere
with the plans of Ricimer.

After his death, Ricimer ruled under the title of PATRICIAN, until the
people demanded an Emperor, and he appointed ANTHEMIUS (467-472), who
attempted to strengthen his position by marrying a daughter of
Ricimer; but jealousy soon sprang up between them. Ricimer invited a
horde of barbarians from across the Alps, with whom he captured and
sacked Rome, and killed Anthemius. Shortly after, Ricimer himself
died.

Names which appear only as names now follow each other in rapid
succession. Finally, in 476, ZENO, Emperor of the East, declared the
office of EMPEROR OF THE WEST abolished, and gave the government of
the DIOCESE OF ITALY to ODOÁCER, with the title of Patrician.




CHAPTER XLII.

INVASIONS AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE BARBARIANS.


The sieges and captures of Rome by the Barbarians we present in a
separate chapter, instead of in the narrative of the Emperors, because