Anthemius

Guest biography contribution on the late western emperor Anthemius by forum member "Honorius".

"Anthemius came to power through merit and family influence. While a notable general, he was also the grandson of the infamous Anthemius, builder of the Theodosian walls and a notable philosopher. Perhaps most importantly he had the support of the emperor of the East, Leo.

Anthemius marched on Rome with a substantial army that he had been appointed to his command by the eastern emperor and was quickly draped in the purple of the emperors on 12 August 467 AD. Despite the rapid acceptance, Anthemius was being watched with much suspicion by the Suevian count Ricimer, who had effectively been king maker in the Western Empire for many years and had been responsible for the accession of this new emperor from the east. Despite his suspicions, Ricimer accepted Anthemius as the new western emperor. He had desperately needed Leo?s support against the newly established Vandal kingdom in North Africa after the failure of Majorian's expedition. However, even with the support of the Eastern Empire, the largest ever Roman expedition failed under the incompetent Basiliscus. The Vandal scourge continued to plague the West, further undermining Anthemius? rule."...

Anthemius