The Most Ironic Names in History: Julius Nepos and Romulus Augustulus

In the tumultuous period of the late Western Roman Empire, the lives of two emperors, Julius Nepos and Romulus Augustulus, are marked by an unusual amount of irony. Not only did their names represent two of the most significant figures in Roman history, but the contexts in which they held power are filled with humorous and poignant contrasts. This article delves into the historical circumstances of these emperors and why their names carry a particular irony that reflects the broader decline of the Western Roman Empire.

The Late Western Roman Empire

The late 5th century was a period of significant decline and transformation for the Western Roman Empire. The fall of the Western Roman Empire can be attributed to a myriad of factors, including political upheaval, social problems, economic crises, and military interventions from the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) and foreign invasions.

Declines in governance and authority over the territories controlled by Rome were compounded by the growing power of barbarian tribes who had settled in Roman lands. By 410, Rome was sacked by the Visigoths under Alaric, followed by a further sack by the Vandals led by Genseric in 455.

Julius Nepos: The Emperor in Rome

In 474, Julius Nepos was proclaimed emperor in the Western Roman Empire, supported by his relative-in-law, Eastern Emperor Leo I. His short tenure in Rome was significant because at that time, the traditional residence of Western emperors was Ravenna, not Rome. Nepos attempted to regain control of Gaul but faced opposition, eventually leading to his deposition by Emperor Orestes.

On October 31, 475, Orestes crowned his son, who was approximately 10 years old, as emperor in Ravenna, while Orestes himself wielded control. This situation was a far cry from the actual governing power one would expect from an emperor given the historical context. The Eastern Roman Empire (Constantinople) did not recognize Orestes' son as emperor, and the Germanic troops loyal to Odoacer soon revolted against Orestes, leading to his death. The young emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was stripped of his titles and sent into exile. He died around 507–511, thus ending the line of Western Roman emperors.

The Irony of Names and Titles

The irony of the situation rests on the names of these emperors. Romulus was named after the legendary founder of Rome, and Augustulus, meaning "little Augustus," was a term used to mock him. The use of "Augustus," a title that was first given to Octavian and represented the pinnacle of Roman imperial power, highlights the stark contrast between his name and the reality of his reign.

As the article from the British historian BBC History Magazine points out, it was possible that Orestes chose "Augustus" as his son's name because of the natural son of Flavius Aetius, an earlier Roman general. Aetius, in turn, had been sent by Flavius Aetius, a prominent Roman statesman, as an envoy to Attila. This intrigued naming choice underscores the irony in the historical context.

The epithets "Augustulus" and "Momyllus" further emphasize the irony of their rule. "Augustulus" is a diminutive, suggesting insufficient or belittled authority, and "Momyllus" (meaning "little disgrace") is a scathing critique of his rule. These names and titles speak volumes about the power dynamics and the perception of Roman authority during this tumultuous period.

Conclusion

The names of Julius Nepos and Romulus Augustulus serve as a stark reminder of the irony and contradictions inherent in the late Western Roman Empire. While their names carry significant historical weight, their reigns were characterized by political upheaval, military instability, and the decline of Roman authority. This irony reflects the broader historical narrative of the fall of the Western Roman Empire, a period marked by a gradual erosion of power and the rise of new challenges and authorities.