ZENO, Eastern emperor from 474 to 491 A.D. Descended from an illustrious Isaurian family, he was originally named Trassalisseus, which he changed to Zeno on his marriage, in 468 A.D., to Ariadne, daughter of the Emperor Leo I and Verina. In 474 A.D., on the death of Leo I, Zeno took over the government of the Empire since the new emperor Leo II, Leo I's grandson, as well as the son of Zeno and Ariadne, was only a child. The boy lived only a short time, however, and on his death Zeno became sole Emperor. His reign was oppressive, and many revolts occurred which caused Zeno to flee to Isauria. Verina, widow of Leo I, claimed the Empire and installed her brother, Basiliscus, on the throne in 476 A.D. The following year, Basiliscus was deposed and Zeno reclaimed the Empire, but he showed no better qualities and rebellions were frequent. In 491 A.D., after a turbulent reign of seventeen years, he died and was succeeded by Anastasius, who married his widow Ariadne
