Pope Hormisdas and Anastasius continue to be…
515 CE
Pope Hormisdas and Anastasius continue to be at loggerheads over the Acacian Schism, and the proposed council never materializes, since neither of the deposed bishops are returned to their sees.
Empress Ariadne, wife of Anastasius, dies at Constantinople in this year and is buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles.
Seeing Anastasius failing to honor his promises, Vitalian mobilizes his army in late 515 and marches again towards Constantinople, capturing the suburb of Sycae (modern Galata) across the Golden Horn from the city and encamping there.
The two magistri militum praesentalis, Patricius and John, are unwilling to engage their old friend Vitalian, thus Anastasius gives command of his forces to the former praetorian prefect of the East, Marinus, a trusted and influential aide.
Despite his lack of military experience, Marinus defeats the rebel fleet in a battle at the entrance of the Golden Horn; according to the report of John Malalas, this is achieved through the use of a sulfur-based chemical substance invented by the philosopher Proclus of Athens, similar to the later Greek fire.
Marinus then lands with his men on the shore of Sycae and defeatsthe rebels he finds there.
Disheartened by the losses suffered, Vitalian and his army flee north under cover of night.
As a sign of his victory, Anastasius leads a procession to the village of Sosthenion, where Vitalian had established his headquarters, and attends a service of thanks at the famed local church dedicated to the Archangel Michael.