WI Eastern Roman Emperor Marcian II in 478 AD?

Marcian was the son-in-law of Eastern Roman Emperor Leo I and his Empress Verina. He aided Verina in the clash against another son-in-law, Emperor Zeno, but was defeated by Magister Militum Illus. Marcian had married Leontia, daughter of the late Emperor Leo by Verina, and sister of Ariadne, Zeno's wife also he was the son of Western Roman Emperor Anthemius and Marcia Eufemia daughter of former Emperor Marcian and as such he had a strong claim to the Imperial Throne.

His revolt took place at Constantinople in 478, where he defeated the troops of Zeno and besieged him in the palace. Marcian's forces were corrupted by Magister Militum Illus however and Marcian himself, with his brothers Procopius and Romulus, was taken. The brothers escaped, but Marcian was sent to Tarsus and made a priest in the church there, or to the foot of Papurius, or Papyrius, a stronghold in Isauria, then used as a state prison.
WI Marcian dealt with Illus quickly ( a swift assassination perhaps?) and then proceeded in deposing the otherwise unpopular Zeno and crown himself as Emperor Marcian II?
How is Zeno's permanent deposing altering History? Without Illus Zeno was powerless to reclaim his authority... Any thoughts?
 
Top