In the room of Avitus, Ricimer set up a man of a character such as was no more to be looked for in those days of Rome’s decline—Majorian, who, as it seems, was an Italian born, (457). However unwarlike the Italian people then was, it yet produced distinguished generals, as we may see in the cases of Aëtius and Majorian. The latter undoubtedly deserves the high character which Procopius gives him; Sidonius, his epitaph, his laws, the individual traits recorded of him, all redound to his praise. Procopius says that he had surpassed all the Roman emperors in excellence: he had a great mind, and was of a highly practical turn. For four whole years he still stood his ground, and was actually master by the side of the faithless barbarian Ricimer, who had the main forces of the empire at his disposal. The Visigoths in Upper Languedoc and in Catalonia, owned his personal greatness, and paid homage to him and to the majesty of the Roman empire which he had restored. The Vandals being the curse of that empire, he planned an expedition against them, for which he had made extraordinary preparations: he was resolved not to grant them any terms, but to crush them. And they must needs have been overpowered, but for treachery at home. It is quite evident that Ricimer betrayed him, and was the cause of Genseric’s getting the Roman fleet at Carthagena set on fire. Notwithstanding this, Majorian concluded an advantageous peace, which at least secured the coasts of Italy and Sicily. On his return, at the instigation of Ricimer, a rebellion broke out against him: he was obliged to renounce the throne, and a few days after he ceased to live (461). Ricimer’s absolute sway under a nominal emperor, lasted until 467, during which seven years a quite unknown emperor, Libius Severus, had the empty name of sovereign. Ricimer had an army, enlisted from what were called the _fœderati_ (all sorts of German tribes), and he looked upon Italy as his realm; yet he was in a critical position, as he had to protect Italy; for he could not have kept it against Genseric. His power was limited. What still belonged to the Romans in Gaul and Spain, was subject to the _Magister militum_ Ægidius, a very distinguished man, and a Roman, who had made himself independent, and ruled over Spain and part of Gaul. Marcellinus, another commander, an old and faithful servant of Aëtius, had become prince of Illyricum. Ricimer, after the death of Severus (465), ruled alone; but not beyond Italy. As, however, that country still continued to be a prey to the pirate-ships of the Vandals, Ricimer allowed the senate to apply to the emperor Leo at Constantinople, and to ask him to appoint an emperor under his supremacy, and to come to the aid of the empire.