Editing Olybrius (section)

===Twice candidate for the throne===
The [[Vandals]], led by King [[Gaiseric]], took advantage of the confusion and weakness of the Western Empire in the wake of Valentinian's turbulent succession, moving into [[Italy]] and sacking Rome in June 455. Before returning to Africa, the Vandals took Licinia Eudoxia and her two daughters as hostages. According to the 6th-century historian [[John Malalas]], Olybrius was in [[Constantinople]] at the time.<ref>''Chronicle'', 366; [http://www.roman-emperors.org/olybrius.htm translated] by Ralph W. Mathisen.</ref> On the other hand, the 6th-century chronicler [[Evagrius Scholasticus]] writes that Olybrius had fled Rome on the approach of Gaiseric's army.<ref>''Historia Ecclesiastica'' 2.7; cited in Oost, "Aëtius and Majorian", p. 28.</ref>

During his residence in the Eastern capital, Olybrius expressed his interest in religious matters. He met [[Daniel the Stylite]], who, according to Christian tradition, prophesied the liberation of Licinia Eudoxia. In the meantime, the Western Empire went through a rapid succession of Emperors. After Petronius, the Gallic-Roman senator [[Avitus]] was proclaimed Emperor by the [[Visigoths|Visigoth]] king [[Theodoric II]] and ruled for two years; he was deposed by [[Majorian]], who ruled for four years before being killed by his general [[Ricimer]] in 461.

Gaiseric supported Olybrius to assume the vacant Western throne because Gaiseric's son [[Huneric]] and Olybrius had married the two daughters of Valentinian III, and with Olybrius on the throne, Gaiseric could exert great influence on the Western Empire. Therefore, Gaiseric freed Licinia Eudoxia (fulfilling Daniel's prophesy) and her daughter Placidia (Olybrius' wife), but he did not cease his raids on Italy's coasts. His project failed, however, as Ricimer, who had become the ''Magister militum'' of the West, chose [[Libius Severus]] as new Emperor (461–465). Placidia was now free, however, joining her husband at [[Constantinople]], where they had a daughter, [[Anicia Juliana]], in 462.

Olybrius was nearly chosen for the Western throne again in 465, after Libius Severus died. Gaiseric was again his major supporter, but the Eastern Emperor [[Leo I (emperor)|Leo I]] chose the noble [[Anthemius|Procopius Anthemius]]. Olybrius' association with Gaiseric did not harm his career, however, as the Eastern court chose him for the high honour of the [[Roman consul|consulate]] in 464.
[[File:Tremissis Olybrius (reverse).jpg|thumb|Reverse of a ''tremissis'' of Olybrius, with a Christian cross in a wreath]]