Leo I

Leo I (died Feb. 3, 474) was the Eastern Roman emperor from ad 457 to 474. Leo was a Thracian who, beginning his career in the army, became a protégé of General Aspar. In proclaiming Leo Eastern emperor at Constantinople (Feb. 7, 457), Aspar expected to use him as a puppet ruler. Leo, who had recognized Majorian as emperor of the West in 457, withheld recognition from Majorian’s successor, Libius Severus, in 461. Six years...