Editing Basiliscus (section)

===Early life and family===
Basiliscus was born at an unknown date, likely in [[the Balkans]]. He was the brother of future Empress [[Verina]], the wife of [[East Roman Emperor]] [[Leo I (emperor)|Leo I]] ({{reigned}} 457–474). Historian [[Stefan Krautschick]] argues that since Basiliscus' nephew, [[Armatus]], was the brother of a barbarian named [[Odoacer]], Basiliscus was therefore also the uncle of Odoacer and thus a barbarian;{{sfn|Elton|1998}}{{sfn|Krautschick|1986|pp=344–371}} this argument has been opposed by historians [[Wolfram Brandes]],{{sfn|Elton|1998}}{{sfn|Brandes|1993|pp=407–437}} and [[Hugh Elton]]. Elton remarks that Krautschick's argument relies upon a single fragmentary Greek source, making his argument acceptable, but ignores the total lack of contemporary sources mentioning his ethnicity or relationship to Odoacer.{{sfn|Elton|1998}}{{sfn|Jones|Martindale|Morris|1980|p=212}} Basiliscus married [[Zenonis]], and with her produced a son, [[Marcus (son of Basiliscus)|Marcus]].{{sfn|Elton|1998}}{{sfn|Herrin|2016|pp=22–23}} Zenonis' origins are unknown, but she may have been a [[miaphysite]], as some authors credit her for pushing Basiliscus's religious policies.{{sfn|Herrin|2016|pp=22–23}} Basiliscus was also related by marriage to Emperor [[Julius Nepos]] ({{reign}}474–475/480),{{Sfn|Handley|2010|p=134}} as the uncle of Julius Nepos's wife.{{sfn|MacGeorge|2002|p=57}} Zenonis is alleged to have taken Armatus, Basiliscus's nephew, as a lover. Byzantist [[J.B. Bury]], summarizing sources from the {{lang|la|[[Suda]]}}, [[Candidus Isaurus|Candidus]], and [[Malchus (historian)|Malchus]] states that:{{sfn|Jones|Martindale|Morris|1980|p=148}}{{sfn|Bury|1923|p=392}}
{{blockquote|Basiliscus permitted Armatus, inasmuch as he was a kinsman, to associate freely with the Empress Zenonis. Their intercourse became intimate, and as they were both persons of no ordinary beauty they became extravagantly enamoured of each other. They used to exchange glances of the eyes, they used constantly to turn their faces and smile at each other; and the passion which they were obliged to conceal was the cause of dule and teen. They confided their trouble to Daniel, an [[eunuch]], and to Maria, a midwife, who hardly healed their malady by the remedy of bringing them together. Then Zenonis coaxed Basiliscus to grant her lover the highest office in the city.{{sfn|Bury|1923|p=392}}}}