Marciānus
（
Μαρκιανός).
1.
A Greek geographer, who lived at Heraclea in Bithynia. With the aid of the best sources of
information from Hanno and Scylax down to Ptolemaeus he compiled, about A.D. 400, a
description of the Western and Eastern Ocean in two books, not completely preserved. Edition
by Hoffmann
(Leipzig, 1841). It is of particular importance for ancient
geography, as the distances in stadia are given.
2.
Aelius. A Roman jurist, who lived under Caracalla
and Alexander Severus, and who is frequently cited in the
Digest.
3.
Emperor of the East, A.D. 450-457. He was a native of Thrace or Illyricum, and served for
many years as a common soldier in the imperial army. Of his early history we have only a few
particulars; but he had attained such distinction at the death of Theodosius II. in 450 that
the widow of the latter, the celebrated Pulcheria, offered her hand and
the imperial title to Marcian, who thus became emperor of the East. Marcian was a man of
resolution and bravery; and when Attila sent to demand the tribute which the younger
Theodosius had engaged to pay annually, the emperor sternly replied, “I have iron
for Attila, but no gold.” Attila swore vengeance; but he first invaded the Western
Empire, and his death, two years afterwards, saved the East. In 451 Marcian assembled the
Council of Chalcedon, in which the doctrines of the Eutychians were condemned. He died in
457, and was succeeded by Leo.
4.
Marciānus Capella. See
Capella.
