Basiliscus (Caesar)

Not to be confused with Emperor Basiliscus.

Basiliscus was the only son of the East Roman (Byzantine) military commander Armatus and briefly Caesar of the East Roman Empire in 476–477/8. In later life, he became a priest and finally bishop of Cyzicus.

Biography

Basiliscus' father Armatus played a crucial role in helping Emperor Zeno (r. 474–491) reclaim Constantinople from the usurper Basiliscus (whom Armatus had initially helped in his own rise to power) in 476. In exchange, Zeno crowned Armatus's son, still a boy, as Caesar, effectively marking him out as his heir. It is possible that the young Basiliscus adopted the regnal name of Leo at this occasion, but this is disputed.

Soon after, however, in 477 or 478, Armatus fell from imperial favour and was executed. Basiliscus was spared the same fate through the intervention of the Empress Ariadne, but was forced to become a cleric. Initially he became a lector at Blachernae, and eventually he rose to become bishop of Cyzicus. He possibly survived as late as the reign of Justinian I (r. 527–565).