The Sciri – the People of Odoacer

History & Finds The Sciri: A People Ends the Western Roman Empire

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The Sciri were an East Germanic people already named in antiquity alongside the Bastarnae and Goths. In the Migration Period they were at times under Hunnic rule.

After Attila's death

After the collapse of the Hunnic empire the Sciri fought for independence, but were heavily beaten by the Ostrogoths. Many entered Roman service in Italy as mercenaries.

Odoacer, king in Italy

Their most famous son was Odoacer: in 476 he deposed the last Western Roman emperor Romulus Augustulus and became king in Italy – a turning point later called the "end of the Western Roman Empire". In 493 he was defeated and killed by the Ostrogoth Theoderic.

"Odoacer, of the people of the Sciri, seized the rule over Italy."after late-antique tradition (public domain, own translation)

What is documented: Sciri as an East Germanic people (ancient authors), their defeat by the Ostrogoths, Odoacer's origin, the deposition of Romulus Augustulus in 476 and his death in 493 (Jordanes, Anonymus Valesianus and others).

What is interpretation: The year 476 as the "fall of Rome" is a later sharpening – contemporaries saw no clear break in it. How "Sciran" Odoacer's following really was is uncertain; it was mixed.

The Sciri belong to the East Germanic wandering peoples. Continue with the Goths and Gepids.

Glanz & Gravur — From our workshop: Germanic motifs on natural slate, laser-engraved. To the shop →

Sources & literature

Jordanes, Getica; Anonymus Valesianus; quote public domain (own translation).

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The Sciri: A People Ends the Western Roman Empire

After Attila's death

Odoacer, king in Italy

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Sources & literature

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