The Eastern Empire category covers the period from the ascension of Arcadius in 393 AD to the death of Zeno in 491 AD, which in our classification marks the beginning of the Byzantine empire – although the distinction is of course somewhat artificial.
Unlike it’s western counterpart, the Eastern Empire did not experience a rapid decline and fall following the death of Theodosius – rather, it was reinvigorated and emerged again strong enough to last for another 1000 years. But that’s still some way down the line.
Numismatically, the quality and size of the coins struck during these years steadily declined. Where the coins of Arcadius are readily available and easily attributable, the long reign of Theodosius II (402-450 AD) saw only limited coin production, and of a quality which makes attribution a nightmare more often than not.
Unlike it’s western counterpart, the Eastern Empire did not experience a rapid decline and fall following the death of Theodosius – rather, it was reinvigorated and emerged again strong enough to last for another 1000 years. But that’s still some way down the line.
Numismatically, the quality and size of the coins struck during these years steadily declined. Where the coins of Arcadius are readily available and easily attributable, the long reign of Theodosius II (402-450 AD) saw only limited coin production, and of a quality which makes attribution a nightmare more often than not.
Arcadius was emperor of the East between 383 and 408 AD. He was the eldest son of Theodosius I and his first wife Aelia Flaccilla, and brother of the Western Emperor Honorius.
Arcadius was a weak ruler, and his reign was dominated by a series of powerful ministers and by his wife, Aelia Eudoxia.
Eudoxia's influence was strongly opposed by John Chrysostom, the Patriarch of Con...
Arcadius was a weak ruler, and his reign was dominated by a series of powerful ministers and by his wife, Aelia Eudoxia.
Eudoxia's influence was strongly opposed by John Chrysostom, the Patriarch of Con...
Aelia Eudoxia was the Empress consort of the East-Roman Emperor Arcadius.
Empress Eudoxia had no desire to remain as politically anonymous as was expected of an empress. Instead, she thoroughly dominated not only Arcadius, but also played an active political and religious role.
She died at 21 due to complications following a miscarriage.
Empress Eudoxia had no desire to remain as politically anonymous as was expected of an empress. Instead, she thoroughly dominated not only Arcadius, but also played an active political and religious role.
She died at 21 due to complications following a miscarriage.
Aelia Pulcheria was Regent of the eastern Roman Empire during the minority of her brother Theodosius II, and empress by marriage to Marcian. She was the oldest surviving child of Arcadius and Aelia Eudoxia.
In 415, the fifteen-year old Pulcheria took over the reins of government as the guardian of her younger brother Theodosius II and was also proclaimed "Augusta" (Empress).
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In 415, the fifteen-year old Pulcheria took over the reins of government as the guardian of her younger brother Theodosius II and was also proclaimed "Augusta" (Empress).
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Flavius Theodosius Iunior Augustus, commonly surnamed Theodosius the Calligrapher, was the Eastern Roman Emperor from 408 to 450.
Theodosius was born in 401 as the son of Emperor Arcadius and Aelia Eudoxia. In January 402 he was proclaimed co-Augustus, the youngest person ever to bear this title in Roman history. In 408, his father died and the seven-year-old boy became Emperor of the E...
Theodosius was born in 401 as the son of Emperor Arcadius and Aelia Eudoxia. In January 402 he was proclaimed co-Augustus, the youngest person ever to bear this title in Roman history. In 408, his father died and the seven-year-old boy became Emperor of the E...
Aelia Eudocia Augusta was a Greek Eastern Roman Empress by marriage to Theodosius II, and a prominent historical figure in understanding the rise of Christianity.
Eudocia and Theodosius II had three children - Licinia Eudoxia, born in 422, was the oldest and would go on to marry her cousin the Western Roman emperor Valentinian III. The other two died young.
In 443 AD, she was...
Eudocia and Theodosius II had three children - Licinia Eudoxia, born in 422, was the oldest and would go on to marry her cousin the Western Roman emperor Valentinian III. The other two died young.
In 443 AD, she was...
Flavius Marcianus Augustus was Roman Emperor in the East from 450 to 457.
Under Marcian's rule and reforms, the Eastern Empire recovered somewhat and was protected from external threats. Because of his isolationist policies, some scholars regard him as a Byzantine emperor rather than a Roman emperor. He left the Western Empire to its fate when first Attila the Hun and later the Vandals ...
Under Marcian's rule and reforms, the Eastern Empire recovered somewhat and was protected from external threats. Because of his isolationist policies, some scholars regard him as a Byzantine emperor rather than a Roman emperor. He left the Western Empire to its fate when first Attila the Hun and later the Vandals ...
Flavius Valerius Leo Augustus was Eastern Roman Emperor from 457 to 474. He was a native of Dacia Aureliana near Thrace, which prompted his nickname 'Thrax' - the Thracian.
As his 20 year reign indicates, he was a capable ruler and worked tirelessly to aid the struggling western part of the Roman Empire. He is also notable for being the first Emperor to legislate in Greek rather than i...
As his 20 year reign indicates, he was a capable ruler and worked tirelessly to aid the struggling western part of the Roman Empire. He is also notable for being the first Emperor to legislate in Greek rather than i...
Aelia Verina was the Empress consort of Leo I of the East Roman Empire. She was a sister of Basiliscus, and her daughter Ariadne was Empress consort of first Zeno and then Anastasius I. Verina was also the maternal grandmother of Leo II.
Coins of Verina are incredibly rare, and are almost never sold on the open market.
Unless you've got almost unlimited funds, the only way t...
Coins of Verina are incredibly rare, and are almost never sold on the open market.
Unless you've got almost unlimited funds, the only way t...
Flavius Leo Iunior Augustus was emperor in the East for less than a year in 474. He was the son of Zeno and Ariadne, and maternal grandson of Leo I and Verina.
As Leo's closest male relative, he was named successor upon his grandfather's death. After taking his father as colleague, he died of an unknown disease about 10 months into his reign in November, 474.
It was widely r...
As Leo's closest male relative, he was named successor upon his grandfather's death. After taking his father as colleague, he died of an unknown disease about 10 months into his reign in November, 474.
It was widely r...
Flavius Zeno Augustus - originally named Tarasis Kodisa Rousombladadiotes - was Emperor of the East from 474 to 475 and again from 476 to 491.
Domestic revolts and religious dissension plagued his reign, which nevertheless succeeded to some extent in foreign issues. His reign saw the end of the Western Roman Empire under Romulus Augustus, but he contributed much to stabilizing the easte...
Domestic revolts and religious dissension plagued his reign, which nevertheless succeeded to some extent in foreign issues. His reign saw the end of the Western Roman Empire under Romulus Augustus, but he contributed much to stabilizing the easte...
Aelia Ariadne was the Empress consort of Zeno and Anastasius I of the eastern Roman Empire. She was a daughter of Leo I and Verina. Her mother was a sister of Basiliscus.
When Leo I died in 473, her son Leo II was crowned emperor as the eldest male relative of Leo I. He died ten months later, shortly after proclaiming his father Zeno co-emperor.
When Zeno died in 491, she was...
When Leo I died in 473, her son Leo II was crowned emperor as the eldest male relative of Leo I. He died ten months later, shortly after proclaiming his father Zeno co-emperor.
When Zeno died in 491, she was...
Flavius Basiliscus Augustus was emperor in the East from 475 to 476. He was the brother of Empress Aelia Verina, who was the wife of Emperor Leo I.
He came to power when Emperor Zeno was forced out of Constantinople by a revolt. During his short rulehe alienated the Church and the people of Constantinople. Secondly, his policy of securing power through appointing loyal men to key role...
He came to power when Emperor Zeno was forced out of Constantinople by a revolt. During his short rulehe alienated the Church and the people of Constantinople. Secondly, his policy of securing power through appointing loyal men to key role...
Aelia Zenonis was the Empress consort of Basiliscus of the eastern Roman Empire. Zenonis was declared an Augusta immediately following the successful coup d'état. Marcus, eldest son of the new imperial couple, was declared first a Caesar and afterwards an Augustus, co-ruler of his father.
When Basiliscus was deposed in 476 AD, Zenonis and their son Marcus were sent to a fortress in Capp...
When Basiliscus was deposed in 476 AD, Zenonis and their son Marcus were sent to a fortress in Capp...
Leontius was a general of the Eastern Roman Empire and claimant to the throne who led a rebellion against emperor Zeno in 484–488.
In 484, the Roman general Illus broke off his relationship with emperor Zeno. The Emperor sent Leontius with an army against Illus, but Illus managed to persuade Leontius to go over to his side.
Zeno's army defeated the rebel army near Antioch. I...
In 484, the Roman general Illus broke off his relationship with emperor Zeno. The Emperor sent Leontius with an army against Illus, but Illus managed to persuade Leontius to go over to his side.
Zeno's army defeated the rebel army near Antioch. I...