Short Biography about the life of Anthemius
Short Biography profile and facts about one of the most famous Romans of all, in the life of Anthemius, Emperor of the Western Roman Empire

• Name commonly known as: Anthemius
• Latin Roman Name: Procopius Anthemius
• Reigned as Roman Emperor / Caesar: April 12, 467 - July 11, 472

• Dynasty / Historical Period: Western Empire (394 - 476) which led to the disintegration of Roman authority and the Fall of the Roman Empire

• Date of Birth: c. 420
• Name of previous Emperor: His predecessor or the Emperor before Anthemius was Libius Severus
• Family connections / Genealogy
  • Married: Marcia Euphemia
  • Children: Alypia (became the wife of Ricimer), Anthemiolus, Marcian, Procopius Anthemius and Romulus
• Date of Death: July 11, 472

• For the names of the next Roman emperors in the East and the West of the Empire refer to the Timeline of Roman Emperors

Interesting facts about the life of Anthemius
Obtain a fast overview of the times of the Roman Emperor Anthemius from the following facts and information about his life. Anthemius started his climb to success as a consul. Libius Severus the previous emperor, died on 25 September 465 in Rome. The cause of death is uncertain but there were rumours that he had been assassinated by means of poison and that the murder had been orchestrated by Ricimer (who was believed to be responsible for the deaths of the emperors Avitus and Majorian. Leo I,  the Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, who was based in Constantinople, tried to control Italian affairs through Ricimer, who was a military leader and the grandson of Wallia, king of the Visigoths. In 467 Anthemius arrived in Rome from the east with support of the emperor Leo I and Ricimer. He was recognized by the Senate and proclaimed emperor on 12 April 467. The ambitious and ruthless Ricimer married Alypia who was one of the daughters of Anthemius. In 468 the Emperor Leo I expedition against the Vandals failed as did Anthemius expedition against the Visigoths. In 470 Anthemius contracted a serious sickness. So many things had gone wrong for him that he believed that he was a victim of sorcery. He became obsessed with the idea and accused many innocent and influential people of plotting against him. Ricimer decide to put a stop to it and gathered an army in Milan to confront Anthemius in Rome. By 11 July 472  Ricimer had taken Rome and Anthemius was beheaded Gundobad. Ricimer then appointed another emperor called Flavius Anicius Olybrius.