Marcian Emperor of the Byzantine Empire [61281]

  General Notes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcian

Flavius Marcianus, known in English as Marcian, (396 \endash January 457) was the emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 450 until his death. Marcian's rule marked a recovery of the Eastern Empire, which the emperor protected from external menaces and reformed economically and financially. On the other side, the isolationistic policies of Marcian left the Western Roman Empire without help against barbarian attacks, which materialized in the Italian campaigns of Attila and in the Vandal sack of Rome (455) .
Rise to power
Marcian was born in Illyricum . He spent his early life as an obscure soldier. He subsequently served for nineteen years under Ardaburius and Aspar , and took part in the wars against the Persians and Vandals . In 431, Marcian was taken prisoner by the Vandals in the fighting near Hippo Regius ; brought before the Vandal King Geiseric (428\endash 477), he was released on his oath never to take up arms against the Vandals.
Through the influence of these generals he became a captain of the guards, and was later raised to the rank of tribune and senator . On the death of Theodosius II (408\endash 450) he was chosen as consort by the latter's sister and successor, Pulcheria , and called upon to govern an empire greatly humbled and impoverished by the ravages of the Huns .
Rule
Upon becoming emperor, Marcian repudiated the embarrassing payments of tribute to Attila the Hun (434\endash 453), which the latter had been accustomed to receiving from Theodosius II in order to refrain from attacks on the eastern empire. Aware that he could never capture the eastern capital of Constantinople , Attila turned to the west and waged his famous campaigns in Gaul 451 and Italy (452) while leaving Marcian's dominions alone.
Marcian reformed the finances, checked extravagance, and repopulated the devastated districts. He repelled attacks upon Syria and Egypt (452), and quelled disturbances on the Armenian frontier (456). The other notable event of his reign is the Council of Chalcedon (451), in which Marcian endeavoured to mediate between the rival schools of theology .

  Noted events in his life were:

• Acceded: Emperor of the Byzantine Empire, 450.

Marcian married.