Leontius (usurper)
Encyclopedia
Leontius was a general of the Eastern Roman Empire and claimant to the throne who led a rebellion against emperor Zeno
in 484–488.
. Under Zeno
he become magister militum per Thracias (Commander-in-chief of the Imperial army in Thrace
).
In 484, the Roman general Illus
broke off his relationship with emperor Zeno. The Emperor sent Leontius with an army against Illus, but Illus managed to persuade Leontius to go over to his side. Zeno was not popular with the people of Constantinople
, a crucial part of Eastern Romans politics, because he was an Isauria
n and as such he was considered a barbarian (which is why he had suffered an usurpation in 475/476 by Basiliscus
); Illus, who also was an Isaurian, decided not to take it for himself but to raise Leontius to the throne.
Leontius's coronation took place in Tarsus on July 19, 484 - the day was chosen, following the advice of some astrologers, as a favourable day - at the hands of the empress dowager Verina
, who then sent a letter to the Governors of the Diocese of the East
and of the Diocese of Egypt suggesting they accept the usurper as Emperor. Leontius was recognized in Antioch
, where he entered July 27, and in some other places; he even had time to nominate officers and to mint coins, before facing the reaction of Zeno.
Zeno's army, composed of Roman and Ostrogothic troops under the command of Theodoric the Amal
and John the Scythian
, defeated the rebel army near Antioch (August 8). Illus and Leontius were forced to take refuge inside the fortress of Papurius, where the insurgents held out for four years. In 488 the fortress fell through treachery; Leontius was put to death, beheaded at Seleucia on the Calycadnus, and his head was sent to Zeno.
Since Illus and Leontius were both Chalcedonian
s, they gained the support of Callandion, Patriarch of Antioch
, but otherwise had little support. Also some Pagans supported the revolt, among whom was the poet, philosopher, and soothsayer Pamprepius
.
Zeno (emperor)
Zeno , originally named Tarasis, was Byzantine Emperor from 474 to 475 and again from 476 to 491. Domestic revolts and religious dissension plagued his reign, which nevertheless succeeded to some extent in foreign issues...
in 484–488.
Biography
Leontius was of Syrian origin, coming from DalisandusDalisandus
Dalisandus or Dalisandos was a city in the region of Lycaonia and Isauria, near the river Cydnus.It was the birth place of Leontius, usurper against emperor Zeno in 484-488. It was also the place were empress Verina was sent by Zeno.- Sources :...
. Under Zeno
Zeno (emperor)
Zeno , originally named Tarasis, was Byzantine Emperor from 474 to 475 and again from 476 to 491. Domestic revolts and religious dissension plagued his reign, which nevertheless succeeded to some extent in foreign issues...
he become magister militum per Thracias (Commander-in-chief of the Imperial army in Thrace
Thrace
Thrace is a historical and geographic area in southeast Europe. As a geographical concept, Thrace designates a region bounded by the Balkan Mountains on the north, Rhodope Mountains and the Aegean Sea on the south, and by the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara on the east...
).
In 484, the Roman general Illus
Illus
Illus was a Byzantine general, who played an important role in the reigns of the Byzantine Emperors Zeno and Basiliscus.Illus supported the revolt of Basiliscus against Zeno, then switched sides, supporting the return of Zeno...
broke off his relationship with emperor Zeno. The Emperor sent Leontius with an army against Illus, but Illus managed to persuade Leontius to go over to his side. Zeno was not popular with the people of Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
, a crucial part of Eastern Romans politics, because he was an Isauria
Isauria
Isauria , in ancient geography, is a rugged isolated district in the interior of South Asia Minor, of very different extent at different periods, but generally covering what is now the district of Bozkır and its surroundings in the Konya province of Turkey, or the core of the Taurus Mountains. In...
n and as such he was considered a barbarian (which is why he had suffered an usurpation in 475/476 by Basiliscus
Basiliscus
Basiliscus was Eastern Roman Emperor from 475 to 476. A member of the House of Leo, he came to power when Emperor Zeno had been forced out of Constantinople by a revolt....
); Illus, who also was an Isaurian, decided not to take it for himself but to raise Leontius to the throne.
Leontius's coronation took place in Tarsus on July 19, 484 - the day was chosen, following the advice of some astrologers, as a favourable day - at the hands of the empress dowager Verina
Verina
Aelia Verina was the Empress consort of Leo I of the Byzantine Empire. She was a sister of Basiliscus. Her daughter Ariadne was Empress consort of first Zeno and then Anastasius I. Verina was the maternal grandmother of Leo II.-Family:...
, who then sent a letter to the Governors of the Diocese of the East
Diocese of the East
The Diocese of the East was a diocese of the later Roman Empire, incorporating the provinces of the western Middle East, between the Mediterranean Sea and Mesopotamia...
and of the Diocese of Egypt suggesting they accept the usurper as Emperor. Leontius was recognized in Antioch
Antioch
Antioch on the Orontes was an ancient city on the eastern side of the Orontes River. It is near the modern city of Antakya, Turkey.Founded near the end of the 4th century BC by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals, Antioch eventually rivaled Alexandria as the chief city of the...
, where he entered July 27, and in some other places; he even had time to nominate officers and to mint coins, before facing the reaction of Zeno.
Zeno's army, composed of Roman and Ostrogothic troops under the command of Theodoric the Amal
Theodoric the Great
Theodoric the Great was king of the Ostrogoths , ruler of Italy , regent of the Visigoths , and a viceroy of the Eastern Roman Empire...
and John the Scythian
John the Scythian
John the Scythian was a general and a politician of the Eastern Roman Empire who fought against the usurper Leontius and in the Isaurian War .- Biography :John was an officer of the East Roman army...
, defeated the rebel army near Antioch (August 8). Illus and Leontius were forced to take refuge inside the fortress of Papurius, where the insurgents held out for four years. In 488 the fortress fell through treachery; Leontius was put to death, beheaded at Seleucia on the Calycadnus, and his head was sent to Zeno.
Since Illus and Leontius were both Chalcedonian
Chalcedonian
Chalcedonian describes churches and theologians which accept the definition given at the Council of Chalcedon of how the divine and human relate in the person of Jesus Christ...
s, they gained the support of Callandion, Patriarch of Antioch
Patriarch of Antioch
Patriarch of Antioch is a traditional title held by the Bishop of Antioch. As the traditional "overseer" of the first gentile Christian community, the position has been of prime importance in the church from its earliest period...
, but otherwise had little support. Also some Pagans supported the revolt, among whom was the poet, philosopher, and soothsayer Pamprepius
Pamprepius
Pamprepius was a philosopher and a Pagan poet who rebelled against the Eastern Roman Emperor Zeno....
.