 At the death of Leo , Zeno , who was a " barbarian " of Isaurian stock , but at the same time son @-@ in @-@ law of Leo , ascended to Emperor , after a short reign of his own son Leo II ( 474 ) . The " barbarian " origins of the Emperor caused antipathy towards Zeno among the people of Constantinople . 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 . Finally , Zeno alienated his fellow Isaurian general Illus , who was bribed by Basiliscus . In the middle of the conspiracy was Verina , who fomented a popular revolt against the Emperor . The uprising , supported by Theodoric Strabo , Illus and Armatus , was successful , and Verina convinced the Emperor to leave the city . Zeno fled to his native lands , bringing with him some of the Isaurians living in Constantinople , and the Imperial treasury . 
