Zeno

Zeno,  (born , Isauria, Diocese of the East—died April 9, 491), Eastern Roman emperor whose reign (474–491) was troubled by revolts and religious dissension.

Until he married the Eastern emperor Leo I’s daughter Ariadne (in 466 or 467), Zeno had been known as Tarasicodissa. As such he led an Isaurian army that the Emperor relied upon to offset the influence of German troops under the powerful patrician Aspar. In 469 Zeno was appointed consul and master of the soldiers. On the death of Leo I early in 474, Zeno’s seven-year-old son reigned as Leo II; the child died before the end of the year, after having appointed his father co-emperor.

Zeno made a lasting peace with the Vandals in Africa but soon encountered difficulties at home when his most trusted adviser, the Isaurian Illus, plotted a coup d’etat with Leo I’s brother-in-law Basiliscus. The Emperor, with many of ... (150 of 351 words)