recognised in Constantinople, with the eastern court instead continuing to recognise Nepos as the legitimate western emperor. Though none would be widely recognised thereafter, Nepos also was not the last person to claim the western empire. From about 477 to 516, the Moorish dux Masties in North Africa claimed to be an emperor. In Visigothic Hispania, two Roman usurpers rose from the Ebro valley, attempting to claim imperial authority: Burdunellus (496) and Petrus (506). Romulus Augustus being identified as the last emperor of the western empire is a tradition that began already among eastern Roman historians and writers in the early 6th century. The earliest known writer to consider him as such was Marcellinus Comes (died 534), who wrote the following passage concerning Romulus: Later Eastern Roman authors continued to regard him as the last emperor of the western empire. Procopius ( 500–after 565) considered Romulus to have been the last legitimate ruler in the west, as did Jordanes (also 6th century). Notes References Sources External links 5th-century births 6th-century deaths 5th-century Christians 5th-century Roman emperors 5th-century Roman usurpers Ancient child monarchs Dethroned monarchs Monarchs who abdicated Romans from unknown gentes Monarchs deposed as children Year of birth uncertain Year of death unknown 465 births