On This Day

Anthemius is elevated to Emperor of the Western Roman Empire by Leo I

Procopius Anthemius (Ancient Greek: Προκόπιος Ανθέμιος, romanized: Prokópios Anthémios; died 11 July 472) was the Western Roman emperor from 467 to 472.

Procopius Anthemius (Ancient Greek: Προκόπιος Ανθέμιος, romanized: Prokópios Anthémios; died 11 July 472) was the Western Roman emperor from 467 to 472. Born in the Eastern Roman Empire, Anthemius quickly worked his way up the ranks. He married into the Theodosian dynasty through Marcia Euphemia, daughter of Eastern emperor Marcian. He soon received a significant number of promotions to various posts, and was presumed to be Marcian's planned successor. However, Marcian's sudden death in 457, together with that of Western emperor Avitus, left the imperial succession in the hands of Aspar. He instead appointed Leo, a low-ranking officer, to the Eastern throne, probably out of fear that Anthemius would be too independent.

Historical Significance

Procopius Anthemius (Ancient Greek: Προκόπιος Ανθέμιος, romanized: Prokópios Anthémios; died 11 July 472) was the Western Roman emperor from 467 to 472.

Events Before

  1. Leo I crowned Eastern Roman Emperor, 1st to be crowned by the Patriarch of Constantinople

    Leo I crowned Eastern Roman Emperor, 1st to be crowned by the Patriarch of Constantinople

  2. K'an Ak (Precious Peccary) ascends to the throne of the Maya city of Tikal as its twelfth ruler, succeeding his father S

    K'an Ak (Precious Peccary) ascends to the throne of the Maya city of Tikal as its twelfth ruler, succeeding his father Sihyaj Chan K'awiil (Stormy Sky) [1]

  3. St Hilary begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    St Hilary begins his reign as Catholic Pope

  4. Possible start of the first Byzantine indiction cycle

    Possible start of the first Byzantine indiction cycle

  5. Start of the Lunar Cycle of Hilarius

    Start of the Lunar Cycle of Hilarius

Events After

  1. Gallo-Roman scholar Sidonius Apollinaris recites a panegyric in verse in honor of the Emperor Anthemius, his third paneg

    Gallo-Roman scholar Sidonius Apollinaris recites a panegyric in verse in honor of the Emperor Anthemius, his third panegyric, in Rome

  2. St. Simplicius is elected to succeed Pope Hilarius

    St. Simplicius is elected to succeed Pope Hilarius

  3. Glycerius appointed a puppet Emperor of the Western Empire by Burgundian king and patrician Gundobad (deposed 474)

    Glycerius appointed a puppet Emperor of the Western Empire by Burgundian king and patrician Gundobad (deposed 474)

  4. The future Zeno I is named associate emperor by Emperor Leo I

    The future Zeno I is named associate emperor by Emperor Leo I

  5. Zeno is crowned co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire with his son Leo II (age 6 or 7)

    Zeno (Ancient Greek: Ζήνων, romanized: Zēnōn; c. 425 – 9 April 491) was Eastern Roman emperor from 474 to 475 and again from 476 to 491.

More from the 460s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 12, 467?
Procopius Anthemius (Ancient Greek: Προκόπιος Ανθέμιος, romanized: Prokópios Anthémios; died 11 July 472) was the Western Roman emperor from 467 to 472. Born in the Eastern Roman Empire, Anthemius quickly worked his way up the ranks. He married into the Theodosian dynasty through Marcia Euphemia, daughter of Eastern emperor Marcian.
Why is Anthemius is elevated to Emperor of the Western Roman Empire by Leo I significant?
Procopius Anthemius (Ancient Greek: Προκόπιος Ανθέμιος, romanized: Prokópios Anthémios; died 11 July 472) was the Western Roman emperor from 467 to 472.

Explore More