bmv_428871 - OSTROGOTHIC KINGDOM - RAVENNA - CITY COINAGE Bronze au monogramme

OSTROGOTHIC KINGDOM - RAVENNA - CITY COINAGE

(536-554)

The deposition of Romulus Augustule in 476 by Odoacer marks the end of the Western Roman Empire. Odoacer returns the imperial insignia to Constantinople, contenting himself with the title of patrician. In fact, he is Italy's first barbarian king. He was assassinated in 493 at the instigation of Théoderic who was to create a veritable empire, not only over Italy, but also over Gaul with the control of Septimania. He created the Bologna mint and his coins were first imitations in the name of Zeno then, after 498, imitations in the name of Anastasius. He clashes with the first Merovingian monarchs, in particular Clovis. At his death, the Ostrogothic kingdom will not survive him and the Byzantines take over Italy from 534.