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Leo III the Isaurian or the Syrian (c. 685 – 18 June 741) was Byzantine emperor from 717 until his death in 741. He put an end to a period of instability, successfully defended the empire against the invading Umayyads, and forbade the veneration of icons.
Leo III the Isaurian in Justinian[]
Leo was the current emperor when Brother Elpidios read the autobiography of Justinian II to Myakes. Elpidios asked Myakes for his opinion of Leo. Myakes acknowledged that, while Leo was a strong emperor, he did not believe Leo had been born to it the way Constantine IV and Justinian had been.[1]
Leo had originally met Justinian and Myakes when Justinian was marching on Constantinople in the early 700s to reclaim his throne; while most inhabitants were fleeing the advance of the Bulgar army sent to assist Justinian's action, Leo brought a hundred sheep to the emperor.
After regaining the throne and executing the "usurpers" Leontios and Apsimaros, Justinian sent Leo to oversee military operations in the east. He had begun hearing baseless tales about disloyalty from his henchman Helias and the patrician Mauros, and had found out Leo had multiple mistresses in addition to his wife, so Justinian decided to use the man's talents and deceptions instead of having them be used against him. But, as Justinian slipped further into insanity, he began to believe Leo was working against him.
Leo III the Isaurian in "Farmers' Law"[]
| "Farmers' Law" Set in OTL | |
| Type of Appearance: | Posthumous reference |
Leo III's iconoclasm was surpassed by his son and heir, Constantine V.[2]
Leo III the Isaurian in "Islands in the Sea"[]
| "Islands in the Sea" POD: 717 CE | |
| Type of Appearance: | Posthumous reference |
| Date of Death: | Unrevealed |
| Relatives: | Niketas (grandson) |
| Political Office(s): | Emperor of the Romans |
Leo III was the last Roman emperor. His reign was short, as Constantinople was attacked and ultimately overrun by Arabs led by Suleiman and Maslama in 717.[3]
Leo's young grandson Niketas settled in Italy where he joined the Church.[4]
See Also[]
- Constantine XI Palaiologos, the last Byzantine Emperor in OTL.
References[]
- ↑ Justinian, pg. 83.
- ↑ See, e.g., Atlantis and Other Places, pg. 217.
- ↑ See, e.g., Departures, pg. 75.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 76.
| Royal offices (OTL) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Theodosios III |
Emperor of the Byzantine Empire 717-741 |
Succeeded by Constantine V |
| Royal offices (Fictional Work) | ||
| Preceded by Theodosios III |
Emperor of the Byzantine Empire ("Islands in the Sea") 717-718 |
Succeeded by None, empire vanquished and absorbed by the Umayyad Caliphate |
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