At the age of 33 years, in 473, he moved to Greece, where he spent much time in Athens, marrying a rich woman and becoming a professor of grammar (philology).
Illus had Pamprepius appointed senator, honorary consul,[6] quaestor sacri palatii and, after some time, patricius, a most prestigious position.
He tried to persuade them to help him in a revolt against Zeno, showing them oracles and prophecies that foretold the imminent collapse of Christianity; however, he did not gain their support.
He also took part in the disputes between the various Christian sects, supporting the patriarchal candidacy of the Chalcedonian John Talaia against the Miaphysite Peter Mongus, but again he was unsuccessful.
In 484, as he had been appointed magister militum per Orientem, Illus decided to withdraw from the court and move with Pamprepius to Nicaea, where he assumed office and recuperated from a wound suffered in the second assassination attempt.
While there, however, Illus started a rebellion against Zeno, elevating to the throne Leontius, a Syrian officer, and appointing Pamprepius as his magister officiorum.
After some initial victories, Illus' troops were defeated by the army of Zeno and forced to take refuge in the fortress of Papurius, in Isauria.
Illus discovered that Pamprepius wanted to betray his fellows to save himself, and in November 484 put him to death and had his head thrown over the battlements of the fortress.
[8] According to some modern scholars, Pamprepius did not want to betray his patron, but the failure of his political schemes was interpreted as deception by Illus' men.