472

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Coin of Emperor Olybrius

Year 472 (CDLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Festus and Marcianus (or, less frequently, year 1225 Ab urbe condita). The denomination 472 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.

Events

By place

Roman Empire

• The Western Roman Empire enters a period of unrest. Relations between Ricimer, de facto ruler, and emperor Anthemius deteriorates completely. Epiphanius, bishop of Pavia, negotiates a peace agreement.
• Anthemius is besieged in the part of Rome he controls until his troops desert him. He is caught while fleeing the city disguised as a supplicant at the church of Santa Maria in Trastavere, and later beheaded.
• July 11 – Ricimer proclaims Olybrius emperor and dies less than two months later at his palace in malignant fever, vomiting blood. The Burgundian general Gundobad assumes command of the Western army.
• November 2 – Olybrius dies of dropsy after only a reign of four months. During his rule he is mainly interested in religion while the actual power is in the hands of Gundobad.
• Mount Vesuvius erupts. During the volcanic eruption the whole of southern Europe is blanketed by ash.

Births

• Emilian of Cogolla, Iberic abbot and saint (approximate date)

Deaths

• July 11 – Anthemius, emperor of the Western Roman Empire
• Ming Di, Chinese emperor of the Liu Song Dynasty (b. 439)
• November 2 – Olybrius, emperor of the Western Roman Empire
• August 18 – Ricimer, de facto ruler of the Western Roman Empire

References