Français – عربي – ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖⵜ – English
Olybrius, one of the last Roman Emperors, was allied by marriage to Gaiseric, the Vandal King of Carthage. He tried to take power several times with Vandal support, and finally reigned for a few months in 472.
Anicius Olybrius was born in Rome, in an ancient noble family. He married Placidia, the daughter of Emperor Valentinian III, shortly before the sack of Rome by the Vandals. It is also possible that Olybrius and Placidia were only engaged and got married after Placidia returned to Rome.
In 455, Placidia was taken as a prisoner to Carthage by the Vandals, together with her sister Eudocia, who was married to Huneric, the son of the Vandal King Gaiseric. Placidia was freed in 461.
After the death of Emperor Majorian in 461, the new master of the Empire was general Ricimer, who could not become Emperor himself because of his Germanic origins. Olybrius claimed the Imperial throne. He was supported by Gaiseric, who hoped that his reign would be favorable to Vandal interests. However, Ricimer chose another Emperor, Libius Severus. Olybrius became consul in 464.
After Libius Severus died in 465, Olybrius claimed the throne again, still with Gaiseric’s support, but Anthemius was chosen instead of him. Olybrius finally succeeded in his third attempt to become Emperor, after Anthemius died in 472. Ricimer, who controlled the nomination of all Emperors since Majorian, died shortly after Olybrius’ accession to the throne.
Olybrius, through his marriage to Placidia, was the heir of the Theodosian dynasty, the last great Roman Imperial dynasty. His reign was short and uneventful. He had the reputation of being a devout Christian. The fact that the coins with his effigy show him without a spear of helmet seems to show that he didn’t have a strong interest for military affairs. Olybrius died of dropsy after four months on the throne.
The French word “olibrius”, which means a pompous and ridiculous person, comes from this Emperor’s historical reputation, due to his short reign, without any significant events.
