177- The Burning Ships

In this episode of The History of Rome, the speaker details the events following the death of Emperor Libius Severus, focusing on the power vacuum in the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Emperor Leo's attempts to address it. With Rickemer effectively ruling Italy, Leo appoints Anthemius as the Western Emperor to counter the Vandal threat led by Genseric, who is raiding Greece. A large-scale invasion of Vandal North Africa is planned, but it ends in disaster due to the incompetence or treachery of Basiliscus, leading to significant financial strain on both empires. The episode also covers Anthemius's failed campaigns in Gaul against the Goths and the growing tensions between Anthemius and Rickemer, culminating in a civil conflict and the introduction of Olybrius as a mediator, setting the stage for further conflict.