ROMULUS AUGUSTULUS Meaning and
Definition
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Romulus Augustulus is a Latin name that refers to the last Roman emperor, who ruled over the Western Roman Empire from AD 31 October 475 to 4 September 476. Romulus Augustulus, born Flavius Romulus Augustus, was installed as emperor at the young age of 16 by his father, Orestes, who was a Roman general and puppet master behind the scenes. Romulus Augustulus is famously known as the symbolic figure marking the end of the Western Roman Empire.
The reign of Romulus Augustulus, however short it may have been, is significant in history as it heralded the beginning of a new era: the Middle Ages and the decline of Roman rule in the west. His title, "Augustulus," meaning "little Augustus," emphasized his position as the last and youngest emperor of Rome. After ruling for merely ten months, Romulus Augustulus was dethroned by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer, who became the first king of Italy.
The name "Romulus" is a historical reference to the city's mythical founder, Romulus, while "Augustulus" is a diminutive form of the imperial title “Augustus,” often seen as a term of endearment. Together, "Romulus Augustulus" is a representation of a transitional period in Roman history, demarcating the end of an empire and the initiation of a new chapter characterized by political fragmentation and the rise of various barbarian kingdoms throughout Europe.
Common Misspellings for ROMULUS AUGUSTULUS
- Rommelus Augustulus
- Romelus Augustulus
- Romulos Augustulas
- Romullos Augustulus
- Romoulus Agustulus
Etymology of ROMULUS AUGUSTULUS
The etymology of the term "Romulus Augustulus" can be broken down as follows:
1. Romulus: The name "Romulus" originates from Roman mythology. According to legend, Romulus and his twin brother Remus were abandoned in infancy and raised by a she-wolf. They later founded the city of Rome in 753 BCE, with Romulus becoming its first king. The name "Romulus" itself is believed to come from the Latin word "Roma", referring to the city of Rome.
2. Augustulus: "Augustulus" is a diminutive form of the Latin word "Augustus", which was a title used by Roman emperors. "Augustus" means "majestic" or "venerable" and was initially used to refer to a specific Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar, who ruled from 27 BCE to 14 CE.
