Odoacer was a Germanic chieftain who became the first King of Italy after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. In 476 AD, he deposed the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, marking a significant transition in European history. Odoacer's rule is often seen as the end of ancient Rome and the beginning of the Middle Ages.
After taking power, Odoacer ruled as a king and maintained a relatively stable government. He recognized the authority of the Eastern Roman Empire, or Byzantine Empire, and was eventually recognized as a ruler by Zeno, the Byzantine emperor. Odoacer's reign lasted until 493 AD when he was defeated by the Ostrogothic king, Theodoric the Great.