NIGHTBRINGER | The Arthurian Encyclopedia

Anthemius


The western Roman emperor between 467 and 472. He was appointed by Emperor Leo I, who ruled in Constantinople.

He is not mentioned in Arthurian chronicle or romance, but he figures into the history of Riothamus, a historical British king who many have seen as the origin of Arthur.

At the behest of Anthemius, Riothamus brought an army of Britons into Gaul in 468 to drive out Euric the Visigoth. The expedition failed and Riothamus was defeated.