Zeno is crowned as co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire.

Flavius Zeno (Greek: Ζήνων Zenon), born Tarasicodissa and of Isaurian origin, reigned as Eastern Roman Emperor from 474 to 475 and again from 476 until his death on April 9, 491. Born around 425 AD, Zeno's tenure as emperor was marked by significant internal strife and complex foreign policy challenges, yet he is largely credited with maintaining and strengthening the Eastern Roman Empire during a tumultuous period that saw the final collapse of its Western counterpart.

Zeno's initial rise to power was facilitated by his marriage to Aeria Ariadne, daughter of Emperor Leo I, which helped legitimize his position. However, his reign was far from stable. He faced numerous domestic revolts, including a significant usurpation by his brother-in-law Basiliscus in 475 AD, which temporarily forced Zeno to flee Constantinople. Zeno meticulously plotted his return, successfully regaining the throne in 476 AD, demonstrating his political acumen and resilience. Further challenges arose from ambitious generals like Illus and rival Gothic factions, notably those led by Theodoric Strabo and Theodoric the Amal. Zeno's foreign policy often involved a strategy of playing these Gothic leaders against each other, or redirecting their ambitions away from the Eastern Empire, frequently towards the West.

A pivotal historical event during Zeno's reign was the definitive end of the Western Roman Empire. In 476 AD, the Germanic chieftain Odoacer deposed Romulus Augustulus, traditionally considered the last Western Roman Emperor. While this marked the de facto end of Roman imperial rule in the West, Zeno maintained a complex diplomatic relationship with Odoacer, nominally recognizing him as a patrician and his own viceroy in Italy, thereby asserting theoretical imperial suzerainty over the former Western territories. The death of Julius Nepos, the last legitimate Western Emperor recognized by the East, in 480 AD, further consolidated Zeno's position as the sole Roman Emperor, marking a crucial transition in Late Antiquity.

Despite the constant threats, Zeno is recognized for his contributions to the stabilization of the Eastern Roman Empire. His ability to navigate the complex interplay of internal revolts and external pressures, especially from the Gothic tribes, without succumbing to the fate of the West, laid crucial groundwork for what would become the enduring Byzantine Empire. He managed to secure Constantinople from significant barbarian threats, ensuring the empire's continuity.

In the realm of ecclesiastical history, Zeno's reign is deeply intertwined with the "Monophysite controversy," a profound theological dispute concerning the nature of Christ. To bridge the divide between the Chalcedonian orthodoxy (affirming two natures, divine and human, in Christ) and the various Monophysite factions (asserting one composite nature, or a single divine nature), Zeno promulgated the Henotikon, or "Instrument of Union," in 482 AD. This decree, drafted largely by the Patriarch Acacius of Constantinople, sought to achieve religious unity by avoiding explicit statements on Christ's nature, instead reaffirming the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed and condemning Nestorius and Eutyches, key figures in the Christological debates.

While the Henotikon aimed for reconciliation, it proved to be widely unpopular and divisive. It alienated extreme Monophysites who felt it didn't go far enough, and crucially, it angered the See of Rome and many Western bishops who viewed it as a compromise of Chalcedonian orthodoxy. This theological impasse led to the Acacian Schism in 484 AD, a significant break in communion between the Churches of Rome and Constantinople that lasted for 35 years. The Henotikon failed in its ultimate goal of achieving lasting religious unity and was eventually abandoned under Emperor Justin I in 518 AD, when communion with Rome was formally restored.

Frequently Asked Questions about Emperor Zeno

Who was Flavius Zeno?
Flavius Zeno was an Eastern Roman Emperor of Isaurian origin who reigned from 474-475 AD and again from 476-491 AD. He is a pivotal figure in Late Antiquity, witnessing the fall of the Western Roman Empire and working to stabilize the East.
What was Zeno's role in the end of the Western Roman Empire?
Although Zeno did not directly cause its fall, the final deposition of the last Western Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, by Odoacer in 476 AD occurred during his reign. Zeno later recognized Odoacer's authority in Italy while still asserting his own overall imperial suzerainty, effectively becoming the sole Roman Emperor after the death of Julius Nepos in 480 AD.
What was the Henotikon?
The Henotikon was an imperial decree issued by Emperor Zeno in 482 AD, aimed at resolving the Monophysite controversy regarding the nature of Christ. It sought to unite various Christian factions by offering a compromise that avoided explicit Christological definitions, though it ultimately failed and led to the Acacian Schism.
Why was the Henotikon unpopular?
The Henotikon was unpopular because it failed to fully satisfy either the Chalcedonian orthodox party or the various Monophysite groups. It was seen by Rome as an illegitimate interference in theological matters and a compromise of orthodox doctrine, leading to a major schism between the Eastern and Western Churches.
How did Emperor Zeno stabilize the Eastern Roman Empire?
Zeno stabilized the Eastern Roman Empire through a combination of diplomatic skill, military action, and political maneuvering. He managed internal rebellions, redirected potentially destructive barbarian tribes (like the Goths) away from the East, and maintained the empire's financial and administrative integrity, ensuring its survival after the collapse of the West.