 In August 476 , Zeno besieged Constantinople . The Senate opened the gates of the city to the Isaurian , allowing the deposed emperor to resume the throne . Basiliscus fled to sanctuary in a church , but he was betrayed by Acacius and surrendered himself and his family after extracting a solemn promise from Zeno not to shed their blood . Basiliscus , his wife Aelia Zenonis and his son Marcus were sent to a fortress in Cappadocia , where Zeno had them enclosed in a dry cistern , to die from exposure . 
