Eastern Recovery

Treadgold, A History of the Byzantine State and Society.

When Theodosius dies, both east and west are in the hands of barbarian strongmen.

Aspar is one such in the east.

He chooses Leo as emperor.

Leo grooms an Isaurian, who takes the name of Zeno, for rule and marries him to his daughter.

Aspar doesn't like this, so there's some revolting and stuff, and some playing the Ostrogoths in the Balkans off against one another, but Leo manages to break free of German rule. Theoderic Strabo is a relative of Aspar. Sacks the Balkans.

Ricimer is making and unmaking emperors in the west. East isn't too happy about it, refuses to recognize some, reluctantly recognizes others. Odoacer wants to be Zeno's Italian commander, Zeno doesn't like the idea, doesn't name anyone else either. Odoacer names himself rex. Roman rule lapses in the west.

Leo tries to retake Africa from the Vandals. This is a disaster.

Zeno prepared to fight both Theoderic Strabo and Theoderic Amal. Strabo dies. Amal agrees to go to Italy,
which is much nicer than the Balkans, and take over.

Council of Chalcedon, 451, says Jesus is both divine and human, and both natures are complete.
Monophysitism, popular in Egypt and Syria, rejects Council of Chalcedon. Single nature either divine, human, or synthesis of both. Ultimately rejected in the west, Anatolia, & the Balkans.

Zeno still has to deal with Monophysites and anti-Monophysites. Lots of appointing and deposing of patriarchs of places like Alexandria and Antioch on these grounds. Zeno tries to reconcile both.

So, remember how Zeno was Leo's son-in-law? Zeno's wife/Leo's daughter is left with most legitimacy when Zeno dies, and she appoints a Greek as emperor and marries him. This is Anastasius.

Anastasius has problems with Green and Blue riots. He doesn't approve of all their spectacles, doesn't want to pay for more performers for them. They riot a lot.

Bulgars start invading Thrace in 493. They continue being a problem for the Byzantines for the rest of its history.