Q 01/05

Which boy emperor, often called the last ruler of the Western Roman Empire, did Odoacer depose in September 476?

A) Valentinian the Third

B) Romulus Augustulus

C) Petronius Maximus

D) Libius Severus

Answer · why

B) Romulus Augustulus

Romulus Augustulus had reigned for only ten months, and his nickname means little Augustus, a jab at his youth. Odoacer named no successor.

Q 02/05

Which Ostrogothic king invaded Italy in 489 and killed Odoacer with his own sword four years later?

A) Alaric

B) Ermanaric

C) Theodoric

D) Totila

Answer · why

C) Theodoric

Theodoric struck Odoacer down ten days after entering his capital under a peace deal. He went on to govern Italy for more than thirty years and is rem...

Q 03/05

According to one early account, the man who killed Odoacer remarked that the dead king's body seemed to have no what?

A) Bones

B) Blood

C) Heart

D) Scars

Answer · why

A) Bones

Bones were what the victor claimed to find missing after his sword reportedly cut Odoacer almost in two. Odoacer's own last words were said to be a qu...

Q 04/05

Where was Odoacer when his Ostrogothic rival killed him in March 493, soon after the two agreed a peace treaty?

A) In his bath

B) On a hunt

C) At morning prayer

D) At a banquet

Answer · why

D) At a banquet

At a banquet meant to seal their reconciliation, the invader turned on his guest. Odoacer's followers were hunted down afterwards, leaving the killer ...

Q 05/05

Which city on Italy's Adriatic coast served as Odoacer's capital and held out through a three-year siege?

A) Rimini

B) Ravenna

C) Ancona

D) Aquileia

Answer · why

B) Ravenna

Ravenna had been the seat of the Western emperors since 402, so Odoacer simply took over their court. The city later became the capital of the Ostrogo...