Odoacer-+Mitch+Polonsky

Odoacer A good leader is able to communicate with and organize diverse groups of people to achieve his goals. Odoacer’s many accomplishments fit this definition of a good leader seamlessly because he was able to organize separate tribes into one body that was uniquely successful in achieving his desire, against all odds, of taking down the Roman Empire.(2) He used excellent communication skills to unite many people behind a common cause, and was successful in his endeavors, which shows impeccable leadership.(1)

Odoacer lived in the late fifth century and became the first and only person to both successfully bring down the Western Roman Empire, and rule in its place.(1) He started out as a Germanic soldier, hired to fight in the Roman guard, but rose up against the Roman Empire after uniting many Germanic tribes.(3) He was one of many Germanic leaders who sought to sack Rome, but he was the only one able to take and sustain power.(1) Unlike other barbarians who took power through violence, Odoacer succeeded through statesmanship as much as warfare.(3) He ruled much of the Western Roman empire for thirteen years, in which he was accepted by all Germanic tribes, the Roman citizens and the Byzantine Empire.(1) Ultimately he was murdered by a rival, Theodoric, bringing an end to his rule.(3)

Odoacer had many strengths that allowed him to be a successful leader. He united many competing tribes,(3) remained versatile in warfare, economics, and foreign diplomacy,(3) and won the respect of many different cultures.(1) Odoacer’s ability to rally many diverse German tribes, in turmoil after the defeat of the Huns,(2) shows that he was an exceptional communicator and organizer.(2) When Odoacer came to power in Rome he was able to put Italy in the best economic state it had been in decades, continue conquering land that the Roman Empire had lost, and keep good connections with foreign empires.(1) These accomplishments show that he was a multifaceted leader. Finally, Odoacer was successful in achieving the acceptance of the Eastern Roman Empire, the Roman citizens, and the Germanic peoples showing his diplomatic ability in addition to his military strength.(2)

Although Odoacer was an exceptional leader, he was too sure of himself and overextended his empire too soon.(3) After Odoacer came to power, he trusted in his alliance with Zeno, the Byzantine emperor, and Theodoric, leader of the Ostragoths, who eventually betrayed and murdered him.(3) If Odoacer had been less confident and more wary he might have anticipated their treachery. He spent a lot of his strategic resources after taking control of Rome to regain territory that had been lost by the Romans.(3) Had he consolidated his military power and better prepared for his enemies turning on him, he might have been able to prevent his defeat. Nevertheless, despite the misstep that led to his demise, his accomplishments of uniting the barbarian tribes, defeating one of the greatest empires to have ever existed, and consolidating power both with his own tribes and the Roman people, all attest to his outstanding leadership skills.

1. Edward Gibbon, //The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire// (Hertfordshire, England: Wordsworth Editions Limited, 1998), 713-18.

2. Philip Matyszak, //The Enemies of Rome// (New York, NY: Thames & Hudson Inc., 2004), 282-85.

3. Will Durant. //The Story of Civilization:// //The Age of Faith// (New York, NY: MJF Books, 1950), 41-43, 97-98.