Basiliscus (died AD 476) Basiliscus was the brother of Aelia Verina and hence emperor Leo’s brother-in-law. In about AD 464 he became ‘Master of Soldiers’ in Thrace where he on several occasions successfully repelled invaders. These successes, and the help of his sister, won him the position of ‘Master of Soldiers’ at the headquarters of …
Lucius Ceionius Commodus(AD 130 – AD 169) Lucius Ceionius Commodus was born 15 December AD 130, son to the man of the same name whom Hadrian adopted as his successor. When his father died Hadrian adopted instead Antoninus Pius with the requirement that he in turn should adopt Marcus Aurelius (Hadrian’s newphew) and the boy …
‘Zeno the Isaurian’ Tarasicodissa (died AD 491) Zeno was from Rosoumblada in the province in south-eastern Asia Minor known as Isauria. The emperor Leo called him to Constantinople as the leader of a force of Isaurians in order to counter the ever-growing German influence over the empire. Also a special imperial guard was set up, …
The Layout of a Roman Legion’s camp Below you find the layout of camp of a Roman army on the march. Every night the legion would halt and erect a camp in this layout. As every Roman force used the same scheme, this meant that every soldier always knew where to find everything. Also this …
Flavius Leo (AD 401 – AD 474) Leo was born in AD 401, a member of the tribe of the Bessi in Thrace. At the death of Marcian his son-in-law Anthemius appeared the most likely candidate for the throne. However Anthemius did not enjoy the support of Aspar, the powerful eastern ‘Master of Soldiers’. Instead …
Marcianus (AD 392 – AD 457) Marcian was born in AD 392, the son of a Thracian or Illyrian soldier.He, too, enrolled as a soldier (at Philippopolis) and in AD 421 he served against the Persians. After this he served for fifteen years as a commander under Ardaburius and his son Aspar. In AD 431 …