Biography.guide
Home › People › Military personnel › Marcian
Portrait of Marcian

Marcian

b. 600

Byzantine general

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About Marcian

Born 600. Marcian was a Byzantine military personnel and military leader.

Marcian (, ) was a Byzantine general and a kinsman of Emperor Justin II.

According to John Malalas, he was Justin's cousin, and a nephew of Justinian I, while Michael the Syrian reports that his mother was Justin's maternal aunt.

He was involved in the Byzantine–Sasanian War of 572–591:

Marcian defeated Miranes at the Battle of Sargathon near Nisibis and put him to flight; 1200 Persians were killed and seventy taken prisoners, while the Roman loss was only seven. Marcian then laid siege to Nisibis and Theobothon. Chosroes, when he heard of this got together 40,000 cavalry and more than 100,000 infantry, and hastened to its assistance to attack the Romans. In the meantime Marcian was accused to the emperor of aiming at the throne. Justin, persuaded of the truth of the charge, dismissed him from the command and appointed Theodore, the son of Justinian surnamed Tzirus, in his stead. This led to disturbances, the Romans raised the siege, and Chosroes besieged and reduced Daras.

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Born
600
Birth century
Nationality
Positions held
General, Patricii, Magister militum
Also known as
Marcianus

Frequently asked questions

Who was Marcian?

Byzantine general

When was Marcian born?

Marcian was born in 600.

What was Marcian's occupation?

Marcian was a military personnel and military leader.

What nationality was Marcian?

Marcian was Byzantine.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Marcian

· Wikidata: Q6757162

· DBpedia: Marcian (cousin of Justin II)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Marcian. https://biography.guide/marcian-military-personnel/

MLA: "Marcian." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/marcian-military-personnel/.

Chicago: "Marcian." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/marcian-military-personnel/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:19 UTC