The Whole North Into Gaul

[Justin Swanton]

True, but he didn't ally with the Romans at the point Justin suggests. Although not loyal to Libius Severus, Aegidius was a part of the Empire still and I doubt the Romans would have mounted a military expedition against him when Ricimer had other threats like the Visigoths. After all, it was the Romans in Italy who sent those Britons against the Goths at Bourges and Deols.

In the Life of St Severinus Odoacer visits the saint in Noricum, who tells him: "Go forth!" said Severinus, "Go forth to Italy! Now clad in wretched hides, thou shalt soon distribute rich gifts to many." - Chapter 7

St Severinus himself came to Noricum "at the time of the death of Attila, king of the Huns",. i.e. about 453. When Odoacer sees him he himself is called a iuvenis, that is, a man between the age of about 20 and 40. He was born in 433, so he could easily have visited Severinus in the latter half of the 450's and then done as the saint bade and gone to Italy, becoming part of Ricimer's entourage several years before his mission in Gaul.

Your previous post is interesting, but I would like to see your references to the primary sources.