Leo III the Isaurian

Leo III the Isaurian or the Syrian, (c. 685–717) was the last Byzantine emperor. Once a general for Justinian II, Leo entered Constantinople on March 25, 717 and forced the abdication of Theodosios III, becoming emperor himself. His reign was short-lived, as Constantinople was attacked and ultimately overrun by Arabs led by Suleiman and Maslama.

Leo's daughter Anna, survived and fled the city. She eventually gave birth to Niketas, one of the priests who joined a delegation of Christians to the Bulgars in AD 769.