Leo I, d. 474, Byzantine or East Roman emperor (457–74). Chosen by the senate to succeed Marcian, he sought to counteract the preponderance of Germans in the Roman army by enlisting Isaurians. A naval expedition (468) against the Vandals of Africa failed through the incompetence or treachery of the commander, Basiliscus, who delayed his attack until Gaiseric was able to attack him with fire ships. Leo I was succeeded by his grandson, Leo II, a child of six, who died in the year of his accession; Leo I's son-in-law, Zeno, then became emperor.
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