On This Day

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.

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. His reign was plagued by domestic revolts and religious dissension, but was more successful on the foreign front. He is credited with further stabilizing the Eastern empire, while the Western Roman Empire fell following the deposition of Romulus Augustulus.

Born in Isauria, Zeno was known as Tarasis before adopting his Greek name and becoming an ally of Emperor Leo I, who saw the Isaurian general as an important counterweight against the Germanic leader Aspar. In 466, he married Leo I's daughter, Ariadne, with whom he had a son, Leo.

Historical Significance

Zeno (Ancient Greek: Ζήνων, romanized: Zēnōn; c.

Events Before

  1. 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.

  2. 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

  3. St. Simplicius is elected to succeed Pope Hilarius

    St. Simplicius is elected to succeed Pope Hilarius

  4. 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)

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

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

Events After

  1. Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople

    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.

  2. Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople

    Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople

  3. Byzantine Emperor Basiliscus issues a circular letter (Enkyklikon) to the bishops of his empire, supporting the Monophys

    Byzantine Emperor Basiliscus issues a circular letter (Enkyklikon) to the bishops of his empire, supporting the Monophysite christological position

  4. Roman general Orestes forces western Roman Emperor Julius Nepos to flee his capital city, Ravenna, now seen as the end o

    Roman general Orestes forces western Roman Emperor Julius Nepos to flee his capital city, Ravenna, now seen as the end of the Roman Empire in the West

  5. Romulus Augustulus, the last Western Roman Emperor, abdicates after forces led by Odoacer invade Rome, the traditional d

    Romulus Augustulus, the last Western Roman Emperor, abdicates after forces led by Odoacer invade Rome, the traditional date for the end of the Western Roman Empire

More from the 470s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on January 29, 474?
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. His reign was plagued by domestic revolts and religious dissension, but was more successful on the foreign front.
Why is Zeno is crowned co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire with his son Leo II (age 6... significant?
Zeno (Ancient Greek: Ζήνων, romanized: Zēnōn; c.

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