After Avitus's deposition Majorian initially bided his time, perhaps because he was hoping for recognition from the eastern emperor Marcian. But Marcian died on 27 January 457 from gangrene after he broke his leg, presumably before he did anything regarding the west, and he was succeeded on 7 February by the general Leo, who likewise seems not to have been inclined to name a western emperor. Rather, on 28 February 457, Ricimer was officially designated patricius et magister militum ("Patrician and Master of Soldiers") and Majorian magister militum ("Master of Soldiers") ("his cons. Ricimer mag. mil. patricius factus est pridie kl. Martias et factus est Maiorianus mag. mil. ipso die": Fast.vind.prior.583). Such appointments could only have been made legally by Leo I, so it would appear that Leo initially declined any request for imperial status for Majorian and responded instead by granting lesser honors to the two western generals. This would mean that, at least for the time being, Leo I intended to rule as sole emperor.
Eventualy Leo reluctantly recognised Majorian as his Imperial colleague on 28 December 457 after the latter's victories against the Allemani.
WI Eastern Roman Emperor Leo I decided not to name Majorian as Western Roman Emperor thus reuniting the Roman Empire?
How is this altering History? Any thoughts?
Eventualy Leo reluctantly recognised Majorian as his Imperial colleague on 28 December 457 after the latter's victories against the Allemani.
WI Eastern Roman Emperor Leo I decided not to name Majorian as Western Roman Emperor thus reuniting the Roman Empire?
How is this altering History? Any thoughts?