Graphic Novel of the Fall of Rome

[Flavivs Aetivs]

Ok, ok, a bit too soon. 455 is a better year for such a statement. :-)

Actually you hit the nail on the head there. The death of a Nations leader usually meant an automatic nullification of treaties for most Barbarian Groups. That's one reason why the Vandals took the opportunity to sack Rome. Furthermore, Marcellinus and Aegidius had both left with the Illyrian and Gallic Field Armies, respectively (Marcellinus in 454, Aegidius only supported Emperors he considered legitimate and Petronius Maximus was not one of them). The Italian Aristocracy had once again gained control of the Roman government, furthering the gap between the Itallic and Gallic provinces. The Visigoths had begun their invasion of Spain, and the Vandals took most of the Mediterranean and Tripolitania. Britain had left by the 440's, so whatever support they may have given Aetius was gone. Armorica left around this time, and the Army was still weak after the Invasions of 451/452 and the Siege of Arles in 453, in which Aetius was unable to attack Thorismund and break the siege (he didn't loose, he just didn't have the forces to attempt an assault). Luckily the Empire had an Ally in the Visigoths who put Avitus on the throne, one of Aetius' lackeys. Majoran took over afterwards, who was an excellent General, and one of Aetius' Lackeys, and almost got the chance to re-conquer Africa. He re-took much of Spain, but it was too late for the empire to be saved by the time Ricimer killed him.

Ricimer... he was just an all out ***hole.