Marcus, eldest son of the new imperial couple, was declared first a caesar and afterwards an augustus, co-ruler of his father. Zenonis was declared an augusta immediately following the successful coup d'état. Basiliscus was then acclaimed as Augustus on 9 January 475. Zeno fled to his native lands, bringing with him some of the Isaurians living in Constantinople, and the imperial treasury. Verina convinced her son-in-law to leave the city. The uprising, received military support by Theodoric Strabo, Illus and Armatus and succeeded in taking control of Constantinople.

In 475, a popular revolt against the emperor started within the capital. Finally, Zeno alienated his fellow Isaurian general Illus.īasiliscus and Verina took advantage of the situation to form a conspiracy against their imperial in-law. Furthermore, the strong Germanic portion of the military, led by Theodoric Strabo, disliked the Isaurian officers that Leo I brought to reduce his dependency on the Ostrogoths. Zeno also secured positions of high authority for his fellow Isaurians. His origins caused antipathy towards his regime among the people of Constantinople. Zeno was an Isaurian and therefore considered a barbarian. The new reign was not particularly popular. On 17 November 474, Leo II died and his father Zeno became sole emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire.

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