Editing Marcian (section)

===Rise to the throne===
After Theodosius&nbsp;II died unexpectedly in a riding accident on 28 July 450, the Eastern Roman Empire faced its first [[succession crisis]] in 60 years. Theodosius had no sons, nor had he designated a successor.{{sfn|Nathan|1998}}{{sfn|Lee|2013|p=94}} Some later sources state that he willed the throne to Marcian on his deathbed, but this is thought to be propaganda created by Marcian's supporters after his election.{{Sfn|Nathan|1998}} Marcian had served Aspar and his father [[Ardabur (consul 427)|Ardabur]] loyally for fifteen years. Aspar conspired to have Marcian elected and was able to negotiate with other powerful figures to have him made the emperor, despite his relative obscurity.{{sfn|Lee|2013|p=96}} There was a one-month interregnum where negotiations for the succession took place, one of which was with Pulcheria, Theodosius&nbsp;II's sister, who agreed to marry Marcian;{{sfn|Lee|2013|p=96}} it is thought that Pulcheria agreed to marry Marcian on the condition that he would abandon Theodosius II{{'}}s religious policies and convoke a Church council.{{sfn|Lee|2013|p=104}} Their marriage helped to legitimize Marcian's rule, as Pulcheria's family, the [[Theodosian dynasty]], had direct ties to the throne.{{sfn|Lee|2013|p=96}} Despite being married to Marcian, Pulcheria kept the vow of [[virginity]] she had made in 413, at age 14, during her three years of marriage to him.{{sfn|Lee|2013|p=96}}{{sfn|Smith|2008|p=537}}{{sfn|Holum|1989|p=209}}

Historian [[Doug Lee (historian)|Doug Lee]] proposes that negotiations were also needed between Aspar and [[Flavius Zeno]], who was in a similar position of military power. Zeno was given the prestigious rank of [[patrician (ancient Rome)|patrician]] upon Marcian's ascension in 450, suggesting a deal whereby Zeno was rewarded for supporting Marcian instead of claiming the throne for himself;{{sfn|Lee|2013|p=96}} Zeno would ultimately die within a year of Marcian{{'}}s accession.{{sfn|Lee|2013|p=98}} Aspar{{'s}} son, [[Ardabur (consul 447)|Ardabur]], was promoted to command the army of the [[Praetorian prefecture of the East|Prefecture of the East]] as the new {{lang|la|[[magister militum per Orientem]]}}, soon after Marcian's accession.{{sfn|Nathan|1998}}{{sfn|Lee|2013|p=98}}{{sfn|Lee|2001|p=43}}

Marcian was elevated on 25 August 450, and Pulcheria's agreement to marry him likely boosted Marcian's legitimacy further.{{Sfn|Nathan|1998}}{{sfn|Burgess|1993–1994}} Like his successor [[Leo I (emperor)|Leo I]], he was proclaimed emperor by the army at the [[Bakırköy|Hebdomon]].{{sfn|Burgess|1993–1994|pp=55, 66–67}} Marcian took the regnal name of Imperator Caesar Flavius Marcianus Augustus upon his coronation.{{sfn|Babcock|2005|p=157}} The election of Marcian in 450 resulted in large changes to eastern imperial policy. [[Chrysaphius]], the [[eunuch]] and {{lang|la|[[spatharios]]}} (guard of the imperial chambers), who had exercised much influence over Theodosius, was either murdered or executed. Both Pulcheria and Zeno were opposed to Chrysaphius' influence, which may have motivated Marcian's actions. Marcian took a tougher stance against the Huns and a more direct role in ecclesiastical affairs. [[Byzantine studies|Byzantist]] [[Constance Head]] considers Marcian to be "an independent-minded emperor."{{sfn|Head|1982|p=20}} Lee states that Marcian "can appear as a stronger figure than many other fifth-century incumbents of the imperial office", but notes that "Flavius Zeno and Pulcheria had both been opponents of Chrysaphius, so the changes may be more a reflection of their influence."{{sfn|Nathan|1998}}{{sfn|Lee|2013|pp=97–98}}