Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 14.djvu/869

* ODOACEB. r39 O'DONOJU. cnted and withdrew into obscurity. Odoacer sliowed liimself to be wise, moderate, and politic. He tool; the title of king only, and caused the Senate to dispatch to Constantinople a flattering letter, in which it declared one Enijieror to be enough for both East and West, renounced its right of appointing the emperors, expressed its confidence in the civil and military talents of Odoacer, and begged Zeno to confer upon him the administration of Italy. After some hesita- tion the Byzantine Emperor yielded to the en- treaties of the Senate, and Odoacer received the title of Patricius. This is commonly taken as the date for the fall of the Western Empire. Odoacer fixed his residence at Ravenna. Ac- cording to his promise, he divided among his companions the third part of the land of Italy — a measure far less unjust than at first sight may seem, for the peninsula was tlien almost depopu- lated, and many domains were lying waste. He maintained peace throughout the peninsula and conquered Dalmatia. In matters of religion, though an Arian himself, he acted with great impartiality; nevertheless he was in- ten.sely hated by the native Italians. The success of Odoacer excited the jealousy and alarm of Zeno, the Emperor of the East, who encouraged the Ostrogoth King, Theodoric (q.v. ), to undertake an expedition against Italy, hoping at the same time to get rid of the Goths, who were a menace to Constantinople. The first bat- tle was fought on the banks of the Isontius (the modern Isonzo) in 489. Odoacer was beaten, and retreated. During his retreat he hazarded another battle at Verona and was again beaten. He now hastened to Rome to rouse the inhabit- ants, but the gates of the city were closed against him. Returning northward to his capital, Ravenna, he reassembled the wrecks of his army, and in 400 once more marched against the Ostro- goths, whose advance guard he defeated and pur- sued to the walls of Pavia. Another great battle now took place on the banks of the Adda, when Odoacer was vanquished for the third time. He now shut himself up in Ravenna, where Theo- doric besieged him for three years. Odoacer then capitulated, on condition that the Kingdom of Italy should be shared between him and Theo- doric. This agreement was solemnly sworn to by both parties, February 27, 49.3; but on ilarch 5th Odoacer. invited to a banquet by Theo- doric, was killed by the Ciothie King's own hand. Consult: Pallmann, Gef:cliirhfc drr Viilkrniyin- dcriing (Gotha, 186.3) ; Hodgkin. ItaJn and Hrr Inrriflrrs. vol. iii. (Oxford, 1SS5) ; and Dahn, Kiiiiii/r (Irr (Irrmancn, vol. ii. (ilunieli, 18G1). ODOMETER (from Gk. ibU, liodos, road -f nirpov, mrtron, measure). An instrument used in connection with a vehicle or other wheel for measiiring lengths of road or other distances. The odometer consists of a series of gear wheels so ar- ranged that the first and smallest wheel revolves either once or some definite fraction of a revolu- tion for every revolution of the -ehicle wheel to which it is attached. This is usually accomplished either by a star wheel with which a projection on or near the hub of the vehicle c<mies in contact, or some similar device. As the circumference of the wheel can readily be measured, it is, of course, possible to arrange the gear wheels so that there will he recorded finally and shown by dials or other indicators the distance in feet, yards, miles, or kilometers. The oilometer, which was at one time used but rarely except by road surveyors, especially in preparing county maps, is exten- sively employeil with bicycles and automobiles, and in this form is known as a cjclometer. It is a very convenient instrument in a rough survey or reconnaissance where it is necessary to meas- ure certain distances along a road, as it can be attached to the axle of a wagon or bicycle and readings made from time to time by the observer between points on the same line. ODONA'TA (Neo-Lat., from ojoi'f, odous, tooth ). An order of insects comprising the dragon-Hies. See Dragon-Fly. O'DON'NELL, Leopold (1809-G7). Duke of Tetuan. A Marshal of Spain. He was born at Santa Cruz, Tenerifl'e, of an Irish family long in the service of Spain. He entered the army when young and embraced the cause of Isabella (q.v.) against Don Carlos, whose armies he fought bravely under Espartero, gaining the title of Count of Lucena. In 1840 he sided with Maria Christina, the Queen mother, went with her to France, and stirred up a number of unsuccessful revolts against Espartero, his old chief. In 1843 his intrigues were more fortunate, Espartero fell, and O'Donnell went to Cuba as Governor-General. Returning rich in 1848, he plotted against the Ministers, Bravo-Murillo and Xarvaez. In 18.54 he headed a military insurrection; defeated and driven into Andalusia, he suddenly turned Lib- eral, issued a radical manifesto, and gave his rising the aspect of a revolution. He won. The nation and Espartero Joined him, the two men assumed the powers of government, and O'Don- nell was made Marshal. Then by a coup O'Don- nell ousted Espartero, July, 18.50, but in three months was himself ousted bv Xarvaez. He re- sumed office in 1858, and in the following year led as Prime Minister and commander-in-chief a successful expedition against the Moors and was made the next year Duke of Tetuan. He resigned in 18G3. but was recalled in 1865, and remained Prime Minister till 1866. He died the next year at Bayonne. O'DONOGHXTE, o-don'o-hi.i. D.wid .J. (1866 — ). A British biographer and editor, born in Chelsea, London. He was educated in a Roman Catholic school, and began his Journalistic work by writing for the Dublin papers upon subjects relating to Irish music, art, and literature. A founder of the Irish Literary Society in London, he was also vice-president of the National Liter- ary Society. Dublin, and the compiler of a bio- graphical dictionarv called The Poets of Ireland (1891-93) ; also, Humor of Ireland (1894) ; List of ISOO Irish Arfi.<i.ts (1894) ; Traits and Tories of the Irish Peasantry (4 vols., 1896-97) ; Bibli- ographical Catalofiue of Collections of Irish Music { 1899) ; and a Treasnri/ of Irisli Poetry in the English Tongue ( 1000) . He edited the works of Samuel Lover (IS9S-99). and among his bi- ographies are those of William Carleton (1896) ; I'iehiird Poekrich, an Irish Musical Genius (1899) ; and Robert Emmet (1902). O'DONOJTJ, S-Do'nA-iioo'. .Ju.N (c.l755- 1821). A Spanish soldier and viceroy, born in Spain. Already well known in his own eovintry, he was made acting Viceroy of Mexico in 1821. When he arrived there he found that Iturbide was practically conqueror of the entire province and that there was little left for him to do but