Who deposed Romulus Augustus in 476 to end imperial rule in Italy?
Odoacer, an Eastern Germanic general, deposed Romulus Augustus in 476. This event marked the end of imperial rule in Italy and began a new era of foreign domination.
Questions about Italy in the Middle Ages
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did Theodoric the Great defeat Odoacer and become king of the Ostrogoths?
Theodoric the Great defeated Odoacer on the 25th of February 493. He became king of the Ostrogoths after ruling for seventeen years under the suzerainty of Emperor Zeno.
What caused the formation of the Papal States during the Middle Ages?
Frankish forces defeated the Lombards in 756 and gave the papacy legal authority over all of central Italy. This action created the Papal States after the Lombards seized Ravenna and abolished the Exarchate of Ravenna in 751.
Which cities became major financial and trading centers during the Italian Renaissance?
Venice, Milan, Genoa, Florence, Siena, Pisa, Bologna, and Ragusa rose to great political power as major financial and trading centers. These maritime republics developed sophisticated naval capabilities enabling them to dominate Mediterranean commerce for centuries.
How did the Black Plague affect population demographics in Italy during the 1340s-50s?
Black Plague ravaged Europe during the 1340s-50s wiping out almost half continent's population with particularly detrimental effects on young adults. Cities such as Florence, Verona, and Arezzo had populations where more than 15% of people were over age 60 due to this demographic shift.