He consolidated his personal power by his control
of the buccellarii, a force of Ostrogoths in
Eastern Roman service. The leader of the
buccellarii was Theodoric Strabo (the
"squinter") who was by some accounts Aspar's
brother-in law. Other accounts, however, tend to
suggest that it was not Theodoric Stabo, but his
father, Triarius, another Ostrogothic general in
Roman service based in Thrace, who was Aspar's
brother-in-law. Either way, the buccellarii
remained loyal to Aspar throughout his career.
Aspar reached such a level of power in the East,
that he was offered the Eastern Empire on at least
one occasion, but declined this honor, citing his
adherance to the Arian heresay as his excuse. This
notwithstanding, his son
Julius Patricius was still married to Emperor
Leo I's daughter,
Leontia and nominated Caesar at the same time.
Aspar had at least three sons,
Ardabur,
Julius Patricius, and
Herminericus. Aspar was murdered c. 461.
