Ricimer, having early in his military career befriended Julius Valerius Majorianus, who had served under Aetius and helped overthrow Avitus, had appointed Majorian master of the soldiers at the beginning of 457.
Majorian had quickly defeated nine hundred Alemannic invaders at Bellinzona (in present Switzerland).
As an Arian Christian and a barbarian, Ricimer cannot hope to have himself recognized as emperor in the West and seeks instead to rule through puppet emperors.
Appointed patrician (the highest military title) on Feb. 28, 457, Ricimer elevates Majorian to the Western throne a month later, but continues to hold the real governmental power.
Majorian, a conscientious administrator, ends abuses in tax collection and attempts to protect the provincials from other forms of oppression.
On December 28, Majorian is crowned emperor of the Western Roman Empire and recognized by pope Leo I.
His rule is accepted in Italy, Dalmatia and some territories in Northern Gaul.