In January, 457 Eastern Roman Emperor Marcian succumbed to a disease, allegedly gangrene. He was survived by his daughter Euphemia and his son-in-law Anthemius (future Western Roman Emperor).
Marcian had been proclaimed Augustus as consort of Pulcheria, a member of the Theodosian Dynasty. With his death the dynastic succession ended. His only daughter was from a previous marriage and thus not considered heiress to the dynasty. The Roman army and the Senate had to elect a new Augustus. Aspar, the Magister Militum, was unable to claim the throne for himself due to his origins (being a Barbarian) and religious affiliations (he was Arian) so he picked his loyal Tribune Leo to be his candidate...
WI The Senate overruled Aspar and supported Anthemius for the throne? Or Aspar is somehow eliminated and Anthemius gets the Crown? How is that altering History? Any thoughts?
Marcian had been proclaimed Augustus as consort of Pulcheria, a member of the Theodosian Dynasty. With his death the dynastic succession ended. His only daughter was from a previous marriage and thus not considered heiress to the dynasty. The Roman army and the Senate had to elect a new Augustus. Aspar, the Magister Militum, was unable to claim the throne for himself due to his origins (being a Barbarian) and religious affiliations (he was Arian) so he picked his loyal Tribune Leo to be his candidate...
WI The Senate overruled Aspar and supported Anthemius for the throne? Or Aspar is somehow eliminated and Anthemius gets the Crown? How is that altering History? Any thoughts?