d.483. Pope from 468. His pontificate saw the final collapse of the Western Empire when Odoacer assumed title as king of Italy in 476. Unlike his famous predecessor Leo I, Simplicius exercised very little influence over the political developments in Italy and was unable to maintain that high degree of leadership which made the papacy impressive from 440 to 461 in the midst of political upheaval. His influence was at best minimal, and he seems to have been the captive of the events of the day.