Marcian has saved money by refusing to pay the annual tribute to the Huns and by carefully avoiding costly military ventures abroad.

There have been minor troubles with nomadic peoples in Syria and along the frontier of southern Egypt, but he has refused to become entangled in war with the Vandals in Africa.

The emperor dies at Constantinople January 27, 457, possibly of foot gangrene, an infection contracted during a long religious journey.

He is buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles together with his late wife Pulcheria.

On February 7, Aspar has a Thracian protégé raised to the throne as Leo I, expecting to use him as a puppet ruler.

Leo is first to accept the imperial crown from the hands of the patriarch of Constantinople.

The general, head of a Gothic army devoted to him, is now at the height of his power.