Aspar facts for kids

A detail of the Missorium of Aspar, depicting Aspar and his elder son Ardabur (c. 434).

Aspar was a very powerful general in the Eastern Roman Empire. He was from Alan and Gothic families. His name, Aspar, means "Horse-rider."

Aspar was a "master of soldiers," which means he was a top general. He had a lot of influence over the Eastern Roman Emperors for about 50 years. He served under Emperors Theodosius II, Marcian, and Leo I. Aspar was so powerful that he often helped choose who would become emperor.

Aspar's Early Life and Rise

Aspar was the son of another important general named Ardaburius. In 424, Aspar played a key role in a military mission. He helped his father defeat a ruler who had illegally taken power in the Western Roman Empire. This helped to put Valentinian III on the throne.

Aspar also helped make a peace agreement with the Vandals. This was after they had invaded a Roman province in Africa.

Aspar's Power and Influence

In 434, Aspar became a consul. This was a very high official position in Rome. Even though he was powerful, Aspar could not become emperor himself. This was because he followed a different Christian belief called Arianism. Most people in Constantinople, the capital city, followed a different form of Christianity.

Instead, Aspar became a "kingmaker." This means he had the power to choose who would become emperor. For example, he helped his assistant, Marcian, become emperor. Marcian married the emperor's sister, Pulcheria, to secure his position.

When Marcian died in 457, Aspar again chose the next emperor. He picked a lesser-known soldier named Leo I. Aspar could have chosen his own son, Ardabur, but he did not.

Challenges and Aspar's End

Later, Aspar faced challenges from another general named Zeno. Zeno was from the Isaurian people. In 470, Aspar tried to make his second son, Patricius, the next emperor. He even arranged for Patricius to marry Emperor Leo I's daughter, Leontia.

However, the people and religious leaders in Constantinople did not want an Arian to be emperor. There were protests in the city. Aspar and Leo I had to promise that Patricius would change his religion before he could become emperor.

In 471, Emperor Leo I and Zeno made a secret plan. This plan led to the death of Aspar and his older son, Ardabur. It is possible that Patricius also died then, or he might have recovered from his injuries. Aspar's death marked the end of the strong influence that Germanic generals had on the Eastern Roman Empire.

Aspar's Legacy

Aspar had another son named Ermanaric. Today, a large water storage area in Istanbul is still named after him. It is called the Cistern of Aspar.

See also

In Spanish: Aspar (militar) para niños