What would it take for a barbarian (Goth? Hun?) dynasty to establish itself in Rome in the 5th Century and dominate at least a sizable portion of of the west half of the old Roman Empire while ruling as Roman Emperors and becoming at least somewhat assimilated into what was left of Roman society in the West?
Basically an Odoacer writ large and officially claiming to be Roman Emperor or a Charlemagne a few centuries earlier.
I assume that conversion to Nicaean Christianity is a must, but what else would be needed? If this took place, how much Roman culture would survive in the west compared to OTL? Would it be possible for such an Empire to last more than a generation or two?
Basically an Odoacer writ large and officially claiming to be Roman Emperor or a Charlemagne a few centuries earlier.
I assume that conversion to Nicaean Christianity is a must, but what else would be needed? If this took place, how much Roman culture would survive in the west compared to OTL? Would it be possible for such an Empire to last more than a generation or two?