Wife of Julius Nepos
Encyclopedia
The wife of Julius Nepos
was the last empress of the Roman Empire in the West
, whose husband reigned from 474 through 480, although he was in exile from his capital after 475. His surname he obtained through his marriage. His wife's given name is not in any primary source, all of which report her as the neptis of Leo I the Thracian, Roman Empire in the East (457–74), and his spouse Verina
. The word neptis could translate as granddaughter, niece or (close) relative, but it is usually assumed that Julius' wife was Leo's niece, and more likely related by blood to Verina rather than Leo. The historian Malchus
reports, "Verina also joined in urging this, giving a helping hand to the wife of Nepos, her relative".
Julius' marriage may have been part of a pattern of family patronage: "marriage into the imperial family was a highly advantegeous affair, and marriage to an emperor's daughter allowed the son-in-law to hope for the purple". Both emperors and empresses once elevated to their position would attempt to promote relatives to high offices and help them marry into illustrious lineages. While these extended families on occasion failed to succeed to the throne, they did manage to endure political upheavals and remain prominent for generations.
Verina certainly seems to have played her part in advancing relatives. Between 468 and 476, Basiliscus
, Armatus
and Nepos assume high-ranking military positions. All three were related to her by blood or marriage. During the same period, Verina's daughters Ariadne
and Leontia
were married respectively to Zeno
and Marcian
, later an emperor and a usurper, respectively. She may even had something to do with the rise to prominence of the barbarian Odoacer
, theorised to be her nephew.
Julius Nepos
Julius Nepos was Western Roman Emperor de facto from 474 to 475 and de jure until 480. Some historians consider him to be the last Western Roman Emperor, while others consider the western line to have ended with Romulus Augustulus in 476...
was the last empress of the Roman Empire in the West
Western Roman Empire
The Western Roman Empire was the western half of the Roman Empire after its division by Diocletian in 285; the other half of the Roman Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire, commonly referred to today as the Byzantine Empire....
, whose husband reigned from 474 through 480, although he was in exile from his capital after 475. His surname he obtained through his marriage. His wife's given name is not in any primary source, all of which report her as the neptis of Leo I the Thracian, Roman Empire in the East (457–74), and his spouse Verina
Verina
Aelia Verina was the Empress consort of Leo I of the Byzantine Empire. She was a sister of Basiliscus. Her daughter Ariadne was Empress consort of first Zeno and then Anastasius I. Verina was the maternal grandmother of Leo II.-Family:...
. The word neptis could translate as granddaughter, niece or (close) relative, but it is usually assumed that Julius' wife was Leo's niece, and more likely related by blood to Verina rather than Leo. The historian Malchus
Malchus (historian)
Malchus was a Byzantine historian. According to Suda Malchus was a Byzantine; but Photius states that he was a native of Philadelphia; and his Syriac name makes it probable that Philadelphia was the ancient Rabbah in the country of Ammonitis, east of the River Jordan.Malchus probably followed his...
reports, "Verina also joined in urging this, giving a helping hand to the wife of Nepos, her relative".
Julius' marriage may have been part of a pattern of family patronage: "marriage into the imperial family was a highly advantegeous affair, and marriage to an emperor's daughter allowed the son-in-law to hope for the purple". Both emperors and empresses once elevated to their position would attempt to promote relatives to high offices and help them marry into illustrious lineages. While these extended families on occasion failed to succeed to the throne, they did manage to endure political upheavals and remain prominent for generations.
Verina certainly seems to have played her part in advancing relatives. Between 468 and 476, Basiliscus
Basiliscus
Basiliscus was Eastern Roman Emperor from 475 to 476. A member of the House of Leo, he came to power when Emperor Zeno had been forced out of Constantinople by a revolt....
, Armatus
Armatus
Flavius Armatus was a Byzantine military commander, magister militum under Emperors Leo I, Basiliscus and Zeno, and consul. He was instrumental in the rebellion of Basiliscus against Zeno, and in his subsequent fall.- Origin and early career :...
and Nepos assume high-ranking military positions. All three were related to her by blood or marriage. During the same period, Verina's daughters Ariadne
Ariadne (empress)
Aelia Ariadne was the Empress consort of Zeno and Anastasius I of the Byzantine Empire.-Family:Ariadne was a daughter of Leo I and Verina. Her mother was a sister of Basiliscus....
and Leontia
Leontia (daughter of Leo I)
Leontia was the daughter of the Eastern Roman Emperor Leo I.- Biography :Leontia was the daughter of Emperor Leo I and his wife Verina; she was younger sister of Ariadne, but, unlike her, she could claim to be porphyrogenita, "born in the purple", because she was born during the first year of...
were married respectively to Zeno
Zeno (emperor)
Zeno , originally named Tarasis, was Byzantine Emperor from 474 to 475 and again from 476 to 491. Domestic revolts and religious dissension plagued his reign, which nevertheless succeeded to some extent in foreign issues...
and Marcian
Marcian (usurper)
Marcian was a member of the House of Leo and an usurper against Emperor Zeno in 479.- Biography :Marcian was a member of several Roman imperial families...
, later an emperor and a usurper, respectively. She may even had something to do with the rise to prominence of the barbarian Odoacer
Odoacer
Flavius Odoacer , also known as Flavius Odovacer, was the first King of Italy. His reign is commonly seen as marking the end of the Western Roman Empire. Though the real power in Italy was in his hands, he represented himself as the client of Julius Nepos and, after Nepos' death in 480, of the...
, theorised to be her nephew.