Editing Basiliscus (section)

===Rise to power===
When Leo fell ill in 473, he had his grandson, [[Leo II (emperor)|Leo II]] ({{reign}} 474), the son of Zeno and Ariadne, crowned as emperor in October 473.{{sfn|Croke|2004|pp=566 & 569}} Leo died on 18 January 474,{{sfn|Ostrogorsky|1956|p=62}}{{sfn|Jones|Martindale|Morris|1980|p=664}} and Leo II took the throne. Zeno was installed as co-emperor, crowned on 29 January,{{sfn|Croke|2004|p=572}} and when Leo II died in Autumn, Zeno became the sole eastern emperor.{{sfn|Ostrogorsky|1956|p=62}} Zeno likely had Theoderic Strabo stripped of his role as {{lang|la|magister militum praesentalis}}.{{sfn|Jones|Martindale|Morris|1980|p=1074}} Zeno was very unpopular, among both the common people and the senatorial class, in part simply because he was an Isaurian, a race which had acquired a poor reputation under Emperor [[Arcadius]] ({{reign}} 383–408), and also because his rule would induce a promotion of fellow Isaurians to high positions.{{sfn|Bury|1923|p=389}}

Although Verina had supported Zeno's elevation as co-emperor to Leo II, she turned against him once he became sole emperor. The causes for this are disputed. The Byzantists Bury and [[Ernst Stein]] suggest this was motivated by personal hatred,{{sfn|Bury|1923|pp=390–393}}{{sfn|Stein|1959|p=363}}{{sfn|Twardowska|2014|p=14}} and [[Ernest Walter Brooks]], historian and scholar of the Syriac language, suggests the Isaurian background of Zeno directly caused the hatred of Verina and the people.{{sfn|Twardowska|2014|p=14}}{{sfn|Brooks|1893|pp=209–238}} Historians [[Kamilla Twardowska]] and [[W. D. Burgess]] argue that his ethnicity likely exacerbated existing hatred, but did not solely cause it.{{sfn|Burgess|1992|p=892}}{{sfn|Twardowska|2014|p=15}} Twardowska also dismisses [[Evagrius Scholasticus]]' suggestions, especially that of him leading a "dissolute life", stating that is common of historians wishing to paint an emperor in a bad light.{{sfn|Twardowska|2014|p=14}} Historian [[Mirosław Leszka]] attributes the action to a simple desire for power, and Twardowska theorizes that Verina supported him while Leo II was emperor because she would still retain influence as a close relative, which she would not wield over Zeno himself. Zeno had the option of raising another son from a previous marriage to the throne, or else his brother, [[Longinus (consul 486)|Longinus]], which would remove any remnant of Verina's influence.{{sfn|Twardowska|2014|p=15}} Byzantine chronicler [[John Malalas]] states that Verina put forth a request which Zeno denied, causing her conspiracy, but does not specify the request; historian [[Maciej Salamon]] has argued that this request would be to have Basiliscus and her other relatives placed in high positions.{{sfn|Twardowska|2014|p=16}}{{sfn|Salamon|1994|p=184}}

Verina conspired with others to remove him as emperor, and historians generally accept that she planned to install her lover, the {{lang|la|[[magister officiorum]]}} [[Patricius (magister officiorum)|Patricius]], as emperor and to marry him.{{efn|This narrative is challenged by [[Kamilla Twardowska]], who views it more likely that this is propaganda from Candidus, repeated by John of Antioch. Instead, she argues that Patricius was likely a key political ally of Verina, but, given the revolt was likely influenced by desire to retain dynastic power, not a plausible candidate for the throne.{{sfn|Twardowska|2014|pp=17–18}}}}{{sfn|Twardowska|2014|pp=17–18}}{{sfn|Jones|Martindale|Morris|1980|pp=838–839}}{{sfn|Bury|1923|pp=390–391}} She was supported in this plot by Theoderic Strabo, angered by Zeno's coronation, and Basiliscus, who succeeded in recruiting [[Illus]] and [[Flavius Appalius Illus Trocundes|Trocundes]], Isaurian brothers, as well as her nephew Armatus.{{sfn|Bury|1923|pp=390–391}} The plot had the backing of the military, bolstered by Basiliscus' popularity, and that of Illus and Trocundes, and also the support of the [[Eastern Roman Senate]]. The position of the [[Patriarch of Constantinople]], [[Acacius of Constantinople|Acacius]], is unclear, although Twardowska considers it likely that he would have withheld support from either side until the outcome was clear.{{sfn|Twardowska|2014|p=16}} The exact date the conspiracy began is unknown: Salamon argues it began around 473, whereas Twardowska argues it began only after Zeno took sole power.{{sfn|Salamon|1994|p=184}}{{sfn|Twardowska|2014|p=17}} The conspiracy was successful, as Zeno fled to his native Isauria on 9 January 475, either after learning of the conspiracy or after being convinced by Verina that his life was in danger,{{sfn|Elton|1998}}{{sfn|Jones|Martindale|Morris|1980|p=213}}{{sfn|Bury|1923|pp=390–391}} taking with him a number of companions and funds. Many remaining Isuarians were massacred in Constantinople when news of his flight spread.{{sfn|Bury|1923|p=391}} Basiliscus convinced the senate to [[Acclamation|acclaim]] him emperor, instead of Patricius, and Basiliscus was crowned at the [[Hebdomon palace]].{{sfn|Jones|Martindale|Morris|1980|pp=838–839}}{{sfn|Bury|1923|p=391}} He immediately had his son, Marcus, crowned as {{lang|la|[[caesar (title)|Caesar]]}}, and later co-emperor, while his wife was crowned {{lang|la|[[Augusta (honorific)|Augusta]]}} and Patricius was executed.{{sfn|Elton|1998}}{{sfn|Bury|1923|p=391}}{{sfn|Jones|Martindale|Morris|1980|pp=213, 838–839}} Zeno took residence in the fortress of [[Olba (ancient city)|Olba]], and later [[Sbida]].{{sfn|Perale|2020|p=423}} Illus and Trocundes were sent by Basiliscus to lay siege to Zeno's fortress, and capturing Longinus, whom Illus would not release until 485.{{sfn|Jones|Martindale|Morris|1980|p=587}}