User:Iazyges/Leo II (emperor)

Leo II (Flavius Leo Iunior Augustus, Λέων Β', Leōn II; 467 – 10 November 474) was Byzantine Emperor from 19 January 474AD–10 November 474AD. He was the son of Zeno, the future emperor, and Ariadne, the daughter of then emperor Leo I. Leo II was made co-emperor with his grandfather Leo I on 18 November 473, and became sole emperor on 19 January 474 after Leo I died of dysentery. His father Zeno was made co-emperor on 9 February of the same year, and they co-ruled for a short time, before Leo II died on 10 November 474.

History
Leo II was born in 468, the son of Zeno, who would later become emperor, and Ariadne, the daughter of then emperor Leo I. He was the maternal grandson of Leo I and Verina. Leo II was made augustus on 18 November 473, making him co-emperor alongside his grandfather Leo I. He was also appointed sole consul for 474 at this time. When Leo I died of dysentery on 19 January 474, Leo II ascended the throne. On 9 February 474, his father Zeno became co-emperor with him. However, Leo II died soon after on 10 November 474, at the age of 7, leaving Zeno as the sole emperor. His death having occurred so soon after he became emperor has led to speculation among some modern scholars that he was poisoned by his mother Ariadne so that Zeno could ascend to the throne; However no contemporary sources raised this suggestion, even though Zeno was unpopular, thus it is considered likely that Leo II's death was natural, especially when the high child mortality rate of the time is considered. Zeno's rule was opposed by the House of Leo, with Verina, the widow of Leo I, proclaiming her brother Basiliscus as emperor in January 475. Zeno fled, and for 20 months Basiliscus ruled, before Zeno returned and retook the throne, ruling until his death on 9 April 491.