Ammianus Marcellinus, Res Gestae, John C. Rolfe (Translator), val2.10

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[45] Odoacar, of whom we have made mention above,¹ presently deposed Augustulus from the rule and was made king; he remained on the throne for thirteen years. His father was named Edico,² and Odoacar is also mentioned in the books³ on The Life of Saint Severinus, a Pannonian monk, who gave him advice and predicted his future royal power.

[46] In that place you find the following words: When some barbarians⁴ were on their way to Italy, they turned aside and went to Severinus’ abode with a view to earning his benediction; among them also came Odoacar, who afterwards ruled in Italy, a youth of tall stature, but very poorly clad; and when he bowed his head, in order that it might not touch the roof of the very low cell, he learned from the man of God that he would attain glory. And as Odoacar bade him farewell, Severinus said: Go on to Italy; go on, now clad in paltry skins, but soon to be able to give great gifts to many.

[47] Meanwhile, as the servant of God had predicted to him, as soon as Odoacar entered Italy he received the royal power. At that same time, after becoming king, Odoacar recalled the prophecy which he had heard from the holy man, and at once addressed to him a friendly letter, wherein he respectfully offered to grant his wish, should he think there was anything worth while to ask. Accordingly the man of God, encouraged by so cordial a letter of the king, asked for the pardon of a certain Ambrosius, who was living in exile, and Odoacar gratefully granted his request.

[48] After that, King Odoacar made war on the Rugi,⁵ and in a second campaign vanquished and utterly destroyed them. Then, since he was a man of good intentions and favoured the Arian⁶ sect, it happened that once, when in the presence of the holy man many nobles, as often happens, were praising and flattering the said king, as men will do, he asked what king they had extolled with such high commendations. And when they replied Odoacar, he said Odoacar is safe for between thirteen and fourteen years, thus, of course, indicating the years of his safe reign.

Res Gestae. Ammianus Marcellinus. John C. Rolfe (Translator). Cambridge, MA. 1935-1940.

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Current edition Perseus

History (English) (Ammianus Marcellinus. Ammianus Marcellinus, with an English translation, Vols. I-III. Rolfe, John C., translator. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; W. Heinemann, 1935-1940 (printing).)

Editions (1)

Res Gestae Perseus (Ammianus Marcellinus. Ammianus Marcellinus, with an English translation, Vols. I-III. Rolfe, John C., editor. Cambridge, MA; London: Harvard University Press; W. Heinemann, 1935-1940 (printing).) — val2.10 focus

[45] Odoacar¹ vero, cuius supra fecimus mentionem, mox deposito Augustulo de imperio, factus est rex mansitque in regno annos XIII. Cuius pater Edico² dictus, de quo ita invenitur in libris vitae Beati Severini monachi intra Pannoniam, qui eum admonuit, et praedixit regnum eius futurum.

[46] Ita reperis ad locum: Quidam barbari cum ad Italiam pergerent, promerendae benedictionis ad eum intuitu deverterunt, inter quos et Odoacar, qui postea regnavit Italiae, vilissimo habitu iuvenis statura procerus advenerat; qui dum se, ne³ humillimae tectum⁴ cellulae eius suo vertice contingeret, inclinasset, a viro dei gloriosum se fore cognovit. Cui etiam vale dicenti vade, inquit, ad Italiam, vade vilissimis nunc pellibus coopertus, sed multis cito plurima largiturus.

[47] Interim, ut dei famulus ei praedixerat, mox in Italiam ingressus est, regnum accepit. Eodem tempore Odoacar rex memor factus quod a viro sancto praedictum audierat, statim familiariter litteras ad eum dirigens, siqua speranda duceret, dabat suppliciter optionem.⁵ Ergo vir dei tantis itaque eius alloquiis per litteras invitatus, Ambrosium quendam exsulantem rogat absolvi; cuius⁶ Odoacar gratulabundus paruit imperatis.

[48] Igitur Odoacar rex gessit bellum adversus Rugos, quos in secundo vicit, et funditus delevit. Nam dum ipse esset bonae voluntatis et Arrianae sectae favorem praeberet, quodam tempore dum memoratum regem multi nobiles coram sancto viro humana, ut fieri solet, adulatione laudarent, interrogat quem regem tantis praeconiis praetulissent. Respondentibus 'Odoacrem,' 'Odoacar,' inquit, 'integer inter tredecim et quattuordecim annos ';⁷ annos videlicet integri eius regni significans.

Notes on the current edition

History

1. 8, 37.

2. Jordanes calls him Edeko.

3. These are still extant.

4. They were Goths.

5. Living in what was in modern times Austria and Moravia.

6. The correct spelling is Arian, from Arius, but the ignotus auctor, as well as some other late writers, spelled it Arrius, after the analogy of numerous Roman gentile names ( T.L.L. ii. 507, 59). It seems best to use Arrius in the text. Arius in the translation. On his sect, see note, p. 569.

Ammianus Marcellinus Res Gestae val2.10

John C. Rolfe (Translator)

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