Ricimer

Related Category: Ancient History, Late Roman and Byzantine: Biographies

(rĭs´ĭmər), d. 472, Roman general of the tribe of the Suebi. After winning (456) two victories over the Vandals, he allied with the senate and deposed (456) Emperor Avitus. Thereafter the true ruler of Italy, he erected a series of puppet emperors. The most able was Majorian, whom Ricimer deposed and killed. Ricimer's power was strengthened by good relations with the East Roman Empire and with the senate.