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46 2. the eastern empire: theodosius to anastasius
during the mid 450s, 79 but, if so, those hopes were not realized. An element
of uncertainty remains concerning the manoeuvrings behind Marcian’s
own assumption of the purple, but the sources are explicit in stating that
the succession in 457 was determined by Aspar, who preferred another candidate.
80 His choice was similar to Marcian in many respects – a relative
nonentity of Balkan origin, in his mid fifties and from a military background,
named Leo. 81 Formal legitimation was a more serious problem this
time: recognition from the west was not an issue (Valentinian had been
assassinated in 455 and the ensuing chaos was still unresolved), but there
was no female member of the Theodosian household available to provide
a convenient dynastic link through marriage. 82 The character of the ceremonial
accompanying Leo’s accession – much more elaborate than what is
known of previous such occasions and, interestingly, displaying an apparently
novel ‘liturgical’ dimension – is highly significant in the light of this. 83
Aspar no doubt promoted the unknown Leo in the expectation of being
able to exercise a predominant influence in the affairs of state, and the way
in which his sons and kinsmen monopolized the consulship during Leo’s
early years is one measure of his success. 84 By the mid 460s, however, Leo
showed himself prepared to follow his own mind. Sources refer to disagreements
between the two over certain high officials and over a foreign
policy decision, and in the latter case Leo certainly prevailed. 85 It must also
have been in the mid 460s that he began pursuing a longer-term plan
designed to free himself completely from dependence on the Alan general.
Aspar’s strength lay particularly in the support of the Goths serving in the
army, but from the mid 460s Leo sought to counterbalance this by drawing
on manpower from Isauria, a rugged, mountainous region in southwestern
Anatolia whose inhabitants had a reputation for brigandage and
savagery on a par with foreign barbarians but who were also, for this very
79 Anthemius, grandson of the powerful praetorian prefect of Theodosius II’s early years, married
Marcian’s daughter (from a previous marriage) in 453/4; for further details, see PLRE ii, s.v. Anthemius
3. If Anthemius did have such aspirations in 457, Leo’s choice of him for the western throne in 467
might in part be explained by a concern to mollify an aggrieved party, while also conveniently removing
him from the eastern scene.
80 Priscus fr. 19; Candidus fr. 1.4, 25–6. Aspar’s power in 457 is confirmed by pope Leo effectively
treating him as co-ruler: Leo, Epp. 149.2, 150, 153 (�PL liv.1120, 1121, 1123). Flavius Zeno had died
during Marcian’s reign, possibly as early as late 451 (Zuckerman (1994) 175).
81 Two sources, but both late (Theophanes p. 116.7–8, Zonaras xiii.25), also report that Leo had
once been in the service of Aspar.
82 Pulcheria had died in 453, predeceased by Theodosius’ other three sisters; Theodosius’ second
daughter Flacilla had died in 431, while his first, Eudoxia, widow of Valentinian III, was a prisoner in
Carthage. 83 De Caer. i.91, with Nelson (1976), MacCormack (1981) 240–7.
84 His second son, Patricius, was consul in 459, his third, Herminericus, in 465 (his eldest, Ardabur,
had already held it in 447), and Dagalaifus, husband of his granddaughter, held the consulship in 461.
They also held various military or administrative posts of importance.
85 Foreign policy: Priscus fr. 45 (dated to c. 466 in PLRE ii, s.v. Fl. Ardabur Aspar); officials: Candidus
fr. 1.28–30, who places this after the great fire of 464, though he does not explain the point at issue or
the outcome.
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