Leo I of the Byzantine Empire

Leo I of the Byzantine Empire (457-474), successor of Marcian, was the last of a series of emperors placed on the throne by Aspar, the Alan serving as commander-in-chief of the army. Leo I made an alliance with the Isaurians and was thus able to eliminate Asper and ensure that he did not suffer a similar fate to that of his predcessor. The price of the alliance was the marriage of Leo's daughter to Tarasicodissa, leader of the Isaurians who, as Zeno, was Leo's successor.

During Leo's reign, the Balkans were ravaged time and again by the West Goths and the Huns, although these attackers were unable to take Constantinople thanks to the walls which had been rebuilt and reinforced by Theodosius II and against which they possessed no suitable technology. His reign was also noteworthy for a disastrous expedition against the Vandals in 468, which was defeated due to the treachery and incompetence of Leo's generals.

Preceded by: Marcian

Byzantine emperors

Followed by: Leo II