Leontios, Byzantine emperor

Leontius, also known as Leontios (Greek: Λεόντιος), a significant figure in early medieval Byzantine history, reigned as Byzantine Emperor from 695 to 698 CE. Born around 660 CE in Isauria, a rugged, mountainous region within Asia Minor renowned for its resilient inhabitants and military prowess, his early life remains largely undocumented. However, his rise through the ranks attests to a formidable military career during a period of intense external pressures and internal instability for the Byzantine Empire. His three-year rule marks a pivotal moment within what historians often refer to as the "Twenty Years' Anarchy," a tumultuous era characterized by rapid successions, military revolts, and political assassinations that significantly weakened the empire.

A Distinguished Military Career and Initial Victories

Leontius’s military acumen quickly brought him to prominence. Under Emperor Constantine IV, a monarch celebrated for his successful defense of Constantinople against the First Arab Siege (674–678 CE), Leontius was elevated to the prestigious title of `patrikios`, a high-ranking dignity signifying noble status and often administrative responsibility. Concurrently, he was appointed `strategos` (military governor) of the Anatolic Theme, one of the largest and most strategically vital administrative-military divisions of the Byzantine Empire, encompassing much of central Asia Minor. This command placed him at the forefront of the empire’s defense against the relentless expansion of the Umayyad Caliphate.

During the nascent years of Emperor Justinian II’s reign, Leontius led successful campaigns against the formidable Umayyad forces. His strategic leadership secured crucial victories that compelled the powerful Umayyad Caliph, Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan (reigned 685–705 CE), to seek terms for peace. The resulting treaty, signed in 688/689 CE, was remarkably favorable to Byzantium, compelling the Caliphate to pay an annual tribute of gold, horses, and slaves. Furthermore, it established shared control over contested territories like Armenia, Iberia (modern Georgia), and Cyprus, temporarily alleviating the immense pressure on the empire’s eastern frontiers. This period of success established Leontius as a celebrated military leader.

The Fateful Battle of Sebastopolis and Imprisonment

The fragile peace, however, was shattered in 692 CE when the ambitious and often impulsive Emperor Justinian II, perhaps spurred by Byzantine gains in the Balkans against the Slavs, unilaterally declared war on the Umayyads. Leontius was once again entrusted with leading the Byzantine armies into battle. The subsequent campaign culminated in the disastrous Battle of Sebastopolis, fought near modern Sulusaray in Turkey, within the region of Armenia. Here, the Byzantine forces suffered a crushing defeat, largely due to the treachery of a large contingent of Slavic settlers (Sklavini), whom Justinian II had resettled from the Balkans to Asia Minor to bolster his armies. Their defection to the Umayyad side critically weakened the Byzantine lines and turned the tide of the battle.

Justinian II, known for his autocratic tendencies and ruthless treatment of those who failed him, attributed the catastrophic loss entirely to Leontius. As a consequence, Leontius was stripped of his command, publicly disgraced, and imprisoned, his once-glorious military career seemingly brought to an abrupt and ignominious end. This period of political and military failure further deepened the instability within the empire, contributing to widespread discontent.

The Road to the Throne: Rebellion Against Justinian II

After three years of incarceration, Leontius was unexpectedly released from prison in 695 CE. In a move that remains somewhat puzzling, Justinian II not only freed him but also appointed him `strategos` of the Theme of Hellas, a new military-administrative province in Southern Greece, indicating a perceived need for his military expertise despite past failures. However, the resentment against Justinian II’s tyrannical rule had reached a boiling point among the populace, the aristocracy, and even within the Church. Justinian’s heavy taxation, his lavish building projects, and his severe treatment of perceived enemies had alienated many.

Capitalizing on this widespread discontent, Leontius, with the support of the influential "Blues" and "Greens" (the chariot racing factions who wielded significant political power in Constantinople), the Patriarch Callinicus I, and a faction of the Byzantine army, launched a rebellion in 695 CE. The coup was swift and successful. Justinian II was overthrown, subjected to the traditional Byzantine punishment for deposed emperors – `rhinokopia` (the cutting off of the nose) – to disqualify him from future rule, and exiled to Cherson in Crimea. Leontius ascended to the imperial throne, becoming Emperor in the same tumultuous year.

Leontius's Reign: Challenges and the Loss of Carthage

Leontius's brief reign, from 695 to 698 CE, was largely consumed by the ongoing struggle against the expanding Umayyad Caliphate. A primary objective was the defense of Byzantine North Africa, specifically the vital exarchate of Carthage, which was under severe threat. Carthage, a historical economic and strategic hub, represented a significant symbol of Roman imperial legacy in the West. Recognizing its importance, Leontius launched a major naval expedition aimed at repelling the Arab advance and recovering the city. However, this ambitious undertaking ultimately failed, and Carthage definitively fell to the Umayyads in 698 CE, marking a permanent loss of Byzantine control over the region.

The failure to secure Carthage proved to be a critical blow to Leontius's authority and prestige. The returning, defeated expeditionary forces, led by the `droungarios` (a military commander, roughly equivalent to a chiliarch) Apsimar, revolted. Upon reaching Crete, the fleet proclaimed Apsimar emperor.

Downfall, Mutilation, and Execution

Apsimar quickly sailed to Constantinople. With support from various elements within the capital, he successfully seized the city in 698 CE, overthrowing Leontius. To solidify his claim and erase his predecessor, Apsimar adopted the more regal name Tiberius III. Leontius suffered a fate even more severe than that which he had imposed on Justinian II: his nose and tongue were cut off, a particularly brutal form of mutilation intended not only to disqualify him from rule but also to silence him permanently. He was then confined to the Monastery of Dalmatou in Constantinople, living out his remaining years in enforced monastic seclusion.

His quiet confinement, however, was not to be his final resting place. In a dramatic turn of events, the exiled Justinian II managed to escape Cherson and, with the aid of the Bulgars, retook Constantinople in 705 CE, reclaiming his throne. Justinian II, true to his vengeful nature, sought to eliminate all who had usurped his power. Leontius was dragged from his monastery, along with Tiberius III. Both former emperors were publicly humiliated and then executed sometime between August 705 and February 706 CE, bringing a violent end to their turbulent lives and to this chapter of Byzantine history.

Frequently Asked Questions About Emperor Leontius

Who was Leontius in Byzantine history?
Leontius was a Byzantine Emperor who ruled from 695 to 698 CE. Initially a distinguished general, he led a successful revolt against Justinian II but was later overthrown himself during the tumultuous "Twenty Years' Anarchy" period.
Where was Leontius born?
Leontius was born in Isauria, a mountainous region in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), known for its hardy people and military contributions to the Byzantine Empire.
What was the significance of the Battle of Sebastopolis?
The Battle of Sebastopolis in 692 CE was a catastrophic defeat for the Byzantine Empire against the Umayyad Caliphate, largely due to the defection of Slavic contingents. Leontius, who commanded the Byzantine forces, was imprisoned by Emperor Justinian II following this loss, which severely weakened Byzantine power in the East.
How did Leontius become emperor?
After being released from prison in 695 CE, Leontius capitalized on widespread discontent with Emperor Justinian II's tyrannical rule. With significant public and military support, he led a successful coup, deposed Justinian II (mutilating his nose), and seized the throne.
What was the fate of Carthage during Leontius's reign?
During Leontius's reign, the vital Byzantine exarchate of Carthage fell permanently to the Umayyad Caliphate in 698 CE, despite a Byzantine expedition launched by Leontius to recover it. This marked a significant and irreversible loss of Byzantine territory in North Africa.
What happened to Leontius after he was overthrown?
After being overthrown by Tiberius III (Apsimar) in 698 CE, Leontius suffered severe mutilation (his nose and tongue were cut off) and was confined to the Monastery of Dalmatou. He remained there until 705/706 CE when the restored Emperor Justinian II ordered his execution, alongside Tiberius III.