But because the senate and people feared Zeno, to prevent the city from suffering any harm they deserted Basiliscus, opened the gates, and all surrendered to Zeno. Basiliscus fled to a church and took refuge within the baptistery with his wife and his sons. After Zeno had given him a pledge confirmed by oath that his blood would not be shed,An evasive way of pretending to spare his life, which was kept in the letter, but not in the spirit. he came out and was shut up with his wife and children in a dry cistern,According to others, in a fortress of Cappadocia. where they all died of cold.