A Child on the Throne. The Reign of the Emperor Leo II, AD 473–474

Leo II was the son of Zeno and Ariadna, daughter of the emperor Leo I, who reigned in the years AD 457–474. In accordance with historical tradition, it is assumed that he was born around the year 467, and took over the imperial power in 474. During the same year he elevated his father Zeno to Augustus, and subsequently, after a period of joint rule which lasted several months, Leo II died. This article is an attempt to sort out the scarce and frequently mutually contradictory historical accounts, and to modify the chronology on Leo II recently proposed by Brian Croke. It is primarily focused on the date of Leo’s birth, recognizing that it had taken place in the autumn  of 469. Subsequently, in the autumn of 473, Leo I elevated his grandson, within a brief time span, first to the rank of Caesar in October, and then, on 17 November, to be Augustus. After his grandfather’s death shortly thereafter, on 18 January 474, Leo II, in accordance with the Senate’s decision, had appointed his father Zeno as co-ruling emperor – on 29 January. After a little less than a year of joint rule the young emperor died in November 474.

A Child on the Throne. The Reign of the Emperor Leo II, AD 473–474

Leo II was the son of Zeno and Ariadna, daughter of the emperor Leo I, who reigned in the years AD 457–474. In accordance with historical tradition, it is assumed that he was born around the year 467, and took over the imperial power in 474. During the same year he elevated his father Zeno to Augustus, and subsequently, after a period of joint rule which lasted several months, Leo II died. This article is an attempt to sort out the scarce and frequently mutually contradictory historical accounts, and to modify the chronology on Leo II recently proposed by Brian Croke. It is primarily focused on the date of Leo’s birth, recognizing that it had taken place in the autumn  of 469. Subsequently, in the autumn of 473, Leo I elevated his grandson, within a brief time span, first to the rank of Caesar in October, and then, on 17 November, to be Augustus. After his grandfather’s death shortly thereafter, on 18 January 474, Leo II, in accordance with the Senate’s decision, had appointed his father Zeno as co-ruling emperor – on 29 January. After a little less than a year of joint rule the young emperor died in November 474.