Bronze AE4, A.D. 450 - 457, Constantinople, 10.5mm, 0.89g, 0°, RIC X 545
Obv: D N MARCIANVS P F AVG. Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: Monogram within wreath, cross above; CON in ex.
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Flavius Marcianus Augustus was Eastern Roman Emperor from 450 to 457. Marcian was born the son of a soldier and spent his early life as an obscure member of a military unit located at Philippopolis. He later served for fifteen years as domesticus under the generals Ardaburius and Aspar. Through the influence of these generals he became a captain of the guards, and was later raised to the rank of senator. On the death of Theodosius II (450) he was chosen as consort by the Theodosius' sister and successor, Pulcheria and called upon to govern a Roman Empire greatly ravaged and impoverished by the attacks of the Huns.

Upon becoming Emperor, Marcian stopped all tribute to Attila the Hun. Aware that he could never capture the eastern capital of Constantinople, Attila turned to the west and waged his famous campaigns in Gaul (451) and Italy (452) while leaving Marcian's dominion alone. Marcian's rule marked a major recovery of the Eastern Empire. He successfully repelled external threats from Syria and Egypt, and also implemented successful economic reforms. Marcian generally ignored the affairs of the disintegrating Western Roman Empire, doing nothing to aid the west during Attila's campaigns, and even ignoring the Vandals sack of Rome in 455.

Marcian died on January 27, 457 of a disease, possibly gangrene, contracted during a long religious journey. He was buried in the church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople, together with Pulcheria. Despite his short reign and his writing off of the West, Marcian is considered one of the best of the late Eastern Roman Emperors. The Eastern Orthodox Church recognizes him and his wife Pulcheria as saints, with their feast day on February 17. His reign and the recovery of the Eastern Empire marks the transformation of the East into what is now known as the Byzantine Empire.