ANTHEMIUS (472)

Western Roman emperor from April 12, 467 to July 11, 472.


The son-in-law of the Eastern emperor Marcian, Anthemius was appointed to his office by Marcian´s successor, Leo I, who wanted help in attacking the Vandals in North Africa. The powerful patrician Ricimer, "kingmaker" of the Western Empire, accepted Anthemius with the stipulation that his daughter, Alypia marry Ricimer.


Anthemius popularity in Italy suffered because as a Greek and a philosopher he was suspected of wanting to restore paganism.


The vast expedition against the Vandals ended in utter defeat for the Romans, in 472, the patrician besieged the Emperor in Rome. Anthemius forces were defeated; he was found disguised as a beggar and beheaded.


The 5th-century Christian Sidonius wrote a panegyric on him.