Theodoric Strabo

So what were the challenges to Zeno's reign? Well, shortly after the death of his son, Zeno was challenged in a palace coup led by his brother-in-law Basilicus, and his mother-in-law, the Dowager Empress Verina.

Within months of Leo II's death, Basilicus and Verina had secured the loyalty of the army, Constantinople's senate, and Theodoric Strabo, a powerful Gothic chieftain.

You may remember Theodoric Strabo from my episode on Theodoric the Great, as the two Theodoric's were rivals for control of the Goths.

Zeno's position was incredibly tenuous, and he made the smart decision to flee from Constantinople once the forces arrayed against him made themselves known.

Th- the Dowager Empress Verina then crowned Basilicus as the new emperor, formally deposing Zeno.

You might think this assassination would turn people against Zeno, but there's no evidence of popular discontent in our sources, probably because Armatus himself was a rather unpopular figure.

Zeno shuffled off his one-time heir, Armatus' son Leo Basilicus, to a life in the church, thus removing him as an imperial claimant and potential threat.

Theodoric Strabo was still at large as Theodoric the Great refused to meet him in battle without imperial reinforcements.