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Through the influence of these generals he became a captain of the guards, and was later raised to the rank of tribune and senator. On the death of [[Theodosius II]] (408–450) he was chosen as consort by the latter's sister and successor, [[Pulcheria the Empress|Pulcheria]], and called upon to govern an empire greatly humbled and impoverished by the ravages of the Huns.
Upon becoming Emperor, Marcian repudiated the embarrassing payments of tribute to [[Attila the Hun]] (434–453), which the latter had been accustomed to receiving from Theodosius II in order to refrain from attacks on the eastern empire. Aware that he could never capture the eastern capital of [[Constantinople]], Attila turned to the west and waged his famous campaigns in Gaul in 451 and Italy in 452 while leaving Marcian's dominions alone.
Marcian reformed the finances, checked extravagance, and repopulated the devastated districts. He repelled attacks upon Syria and Egypt in 452, and quelled disturbances on the Armenian frontier in 456. The other notable event of his reign is the Council of Chalcedon (451), in which Marcian endeavoured to mediate between the rival schools of theology.
