The siege of Pavia in August 476 was a critical event during the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Foederati, including some Sciri, in the Roman army in Italy mutinied. They acclaimed Odovacar king on 23 August, while the magister militum Orestes took refuge in the well fortified city of Pavia (Ticinum). The city "was immediately besieged, the fortifications were stormed, the town was pillaged" and many churches and houses were burned, including the bishop's residence.