WPŁYW PATRYCJUSZA ASPARA NA CESARSKĄ ELEKCJĘ LEONA
PATRICIAN ASPAR’S INFLUENCE ON LEO I’S IMPERIAL ELECTION

Summary/Abstract: The article is concerned with the participation of Flavius Aspar, a military commander and patrician in the Eastern Roman Empire, in the Emperor Leo’s election. After a detailed investigation of various source traditions which give information on the election of 457, it proceeds to an analysis of factors leading to the Alan commander’s exceptional position in the power structure of the Empire. The main thesis of the article is that the holding of the highest-ranking military and civil offices by the two figures of the Ardabur family allowed Aspar to achieve the election of an ordinary tribune. This view is further confirmed by a discussion of Leo I’s appointment policy pursued in the years 458–465, which resulted in the monopolization of the state administration by the Ardabur family and their followers, as well as to certain legislative initiatives undertaken by Aspar.

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