JULIUS MAJORIANUS (447)

Western Roman emperor from 457 to 461 the only man to hold that office in the 5th century who had some claim to greatness.

Born of a distinguished military family he served under the master of soldiers Aetius and helped overthrow the emperor Avitus (ruled 455-456). The real governmental power passed to Majorianus friend Ricimer who became for 15 years the "kingmaker" at Rome.

Appointed master of the soldiers in 457 Majorianus quickly defeated the Alemannic invaders at Bellinzona, Switzerland. He was proclaimed emperor with Ricimer´s support on April 1 and set about conscientiously administering his realm. He stopped abuses in tax collection and attempted to protect the provincials from other forms of oppression.

In 458 Majorian began to build the fleet with which he hopped to recover Africa from the Vandals. After securing the support of Gaul where a movement toward independent rule was in progress he crossed into Spain in May 460. Most of Majorian´s fleet of 300 ships were captured in the Bay of Alicante when the Vandal fleet under Gaiseric made a sudden descent on the Spanish coast.

The Emperor was obliged to make a humiliating peace.
On his return to Italy he fell into Ricimer´s hands (Aug. 2, 461) and was compelled to abdicate.
Five days later he was executed.