01-12-2011, 11:34 AM
January 12, 475 AD: Flavius Basiliscus usurps the throne after his sister Aelia Verina, the wife of Emperor Leo I (457–474), forced the ruling emperor (her son-in-law) Zeno to flee Constantinople by a revolt.
He eventually ruled for 20 months, during which he alienated the fundamental support of the Church and the people of Constantinople, promoting the Miaphysite christological position in opposition to the Chalcedonian faith. He also alienated his Isaurian generals, who turned their allegiance back to Zeno.
In August 476, Zeno returned to besiege Constantinople. After the Senate opened the gates of the city, Basiliscus fled to sanctuary in a church, but he was betrayed by Acacius and surrendered himself and his family after extracting a solemn promise from Zeno not to shed their blood. Basiliscus, his wife Aelia Zenonis and his son Marcus were sent to a fortress in Cappadocia, where Zeno had them enclosed in a dry cistern, to die from exposure.
The usurpation of Basiliscus paralyzed the Eastern empire during the crisis of the Western empire, in which they were unable to intervene.
He eventually ruled for 20 months, during which he alienated the fundamental support of the Church and the people of Constantinople, promoting the Miaphysite christological position in opposition to the Chalcedonian faith. He also alienated his Isaurian generals, who turned their allegiance back to Zeno.
In August 476, Zeno returned to besiege Constantinople. After the Senate opened the gates of the city, Basiliscus fled to sanctuary in a church, but he was betrayed by Acacius and surrendered himself and his family after extracting a solemn promise from Zeno not to shed their blood. Basiliscus, his wife Aelia Zenonis and his son Marcus were sent to a fortress in Cappadocia, where Zeno had them enclosed in a dry cistern, to die from exposure.
The usurpation of Basiliscus paralyzed the Eastern empire during the crisis of the Western empire, in which they were unable to intervene.
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
