Leo I of Gaeta
Encyclopedia
Leo I, called the Usurper, was the usurping consul
and duke of Gaeta on two quite separate occasions. He was the son of one Docibilis, a relative of the Docibilian dynasty, probably a son of Duke Gregory
.
Firstly, in April or August 1012, after the death of his cousin John IV of Gaeta
, he seized the throne in opposition to John's son, John V
, then an infant, and his regents: Emilia
, John IV's mother, and Leo
, John IV's son. He was in charge in September, but by October, the supporters of Emilia and John V had removed him from office.
In October 1041, Guaimar IV of Salerno
appeared in his last act as duke of Gaeta. From acts of August 1042, preserved in the Codex Caietanus, we know that Leo was reigning as duke, probably by popular acclamation against Guaimar. However, he was expelled by December that year by Ranulf Drengot, to whom Guaimar had ceded his consular and ducal rights in Gaeta.
Consul
Consul was the highest elected office of the Roman Republic and an appointive office under the Empire. The title was also used in other city states and also revived in modern states, notably in the First French Republic...
and duke of Gaeta on two quite separate occasions. He was the son of one Docibilis, a relative of the Docibilian dynasty, probably a son of Duke Gregory
Gregory of Gaeta
Gregory was the Duke of Gaeta from 963 until his death. He was the second son of Docibilis II of Gaeta and his wife Orania. He succeeded his brother John II, who had left only daughters. Gregory rapidly depleted the publicum of the Duchy of Gaeta by doling it out to family members as grants...
.
Firstly, in April or August 1012, after the death of his cousin John IV of Gaeta
John IV of Gaeta
John IV was the eldest son of John III of Gaeta who was appointed co-duke in 991 while still young . John succeeded his father in 1008 or 1009 and ruled for a brief four years....
, he seized the throne in opposition to John's son, John V
John V of Gaeta
John V was the consul and duke of Gaeta from 1012 to 1032. He was the son of John IV and Sichelgaita, sister of Sergius IV of Naples. He was either very young when he succeeded his father or perhaps he was even born posthumously.His regency was disputed by Leo, his father's brother, and the...
, then an infant, and his regents: Emilia
Emilia of Gaeta
Emilia was the duchess of Gaeta first as consort of John III and then as the regent for her grandson John V until at least 1029....
, John IV's mother, and Leo
Leo II of Gaeta
Leo II was the regent and tutor of John V of Gaeta in opposition to his own mother, Emilia, from 1014 to January 1025. He undersigned documents as consul et dux. He was the son of John III of Gaeta and thus uncle of John V....
, John IV's son. He was in charge in September, but by October, the supporters of Emilia and John V had removed him from office.
In October 1041, Guaimar IV of Salerno
Guaimar IV of Salerno
Guaimar IV was Prince of Salerno , Duke of Amalfi , Duke of Gaeta , and Prince of Capua in Southern Italy over the period from 1027 to 1052. He was an important figure in the final phase of Byzantine authority in the Mezzogiorno and the commencement of Norman power...
appeared in his last act as duke of Gaeta. From acts of August 1042, preserved in the Codex Caietanus, we know that Leo was reigning as duke, probably by popular acclamation against Guaimar. However, he was expelled by December that year by Ranulf Drengot, to whom Guaimar had ceded his consular and ducal rights in Gaeta.
Sources
- Chalandon, Ferdinand. Histoire de la domination normande en Italie et en Sicilie. ParisParisParis is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, 1907.