Flavius Valerius Marcianus, Eastern Emperor 450 - 457

On the death of Theodosius II , the empress Pulcheria, who had effectively ruled the empire on behalf of her brother Theodosius, selected the general Marcian to succeed to the throne. He was 60 years old, and had proved a wise leader. She married Marcian (in name only), and crowned him emperor herself. Marcian proved a wise choice. He was intelligent, wise and generous to his people. He called the Fourth Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon in 451, and died naturally at the age of 67 in 457, having outlived Pulcheria by four years.