Aspar and the Struggle for the Eastern Roman Empire, AD 421–71

Aspar was a general, consul and senator at the heart of the fifth-century eastern Roman Empire. Raised in Constantinople, he understood himself as Roman, yet his place among the empire’s military leaders of non-Roman descent and his Arian Christianity complicated his position at court.

Bleeker follows Aspar through campaigns and political struggles involving Persians, Vandals, Huns and rival claimants to power. His influence extended into imperial successions, and his relationship with Leo I became central to the contest over who could shape the eastern empire’s government. Military rank and a powerful place at court gave Aspar influence over the throne, but could not end the struggle over who exercised imperial authority.