472

By place

Roman Empire

• The Western Roman Empire enters a period of unrest. Relations between Ricimer, de facto ruler, and Emperor Anthemius deteriorate completely. Epiphanius, bishop of Pavia, negotiates a peace agreement.
• July 11 - Anthemius, besieged in the part of Rome he controls until his troops are defeated, is caught while fleeing the city disguised as a supplicant in the Old St. Peter's Basilica, and later beheaded by Gundobad or Ricimer. Ricimer proclaims Olybrius emperor. Ricimer's nephew, the Burgundian general Gundobad, assumes command of the Western army and holds de facto power in the Empire.
• August 18 - Ricimer dies at his palace of malignant fever, vomiting blood.
• November 2 - Olybrius dies of dropsy. During his four months' rule he has been mainly interested in religion.
• Mount Vesuvius erupts. During the volcanic eruption the whole of southern Europe is blanketed by ash.