‘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, …
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 …
Flavius Theodosius(AD 408- AD 450) Theodosius II was born in AD 401, the son of Arcadius and Aelia Eudoxia.Already in January AD 402 he was proclaimed co-Augustus by his father. When in AD 408 Arcadius died his son succeeded to the throne without any violence. With Theodosius II still an infant, the regency of Constantinople …
Flavius Julius Constans(AD ca. 320 – AD 350) Constans was born in about AD 320, as the son of Constantine and Fausta. He was educated at Constantinople and was proclaimed Caesar (junior emperor) in AD 333. In AD 337 Constantine died and Constans became joint emperor with his two brothers, Constantine II and Constantius II, …
Flavius Arcadius(AD ca. 377 – AD 408) Arcadius was born in Spain around AD 377, the son of Theodosius the Great and Aelia Flavia Flaccilla. His father raised him to the rank of co-Augustus of the east in AD 383, though due to his young age it was a solely ceremonial title at first. But …