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Leo III the Isaurian
LeoIII
Historical Figure
Nationality: Byzantine Empire
Year of Birth: 685
Year of Death: 741
Cause of Death: Edema
Religion: Eastern Orthodox
Occupation: Monarch, Soldier
Spouse: Maria
Children: Constantine V, four others
House: Isaurian
Fictional Appearances:
Justinian
Set in OTL
Type of Appearance: Direct
"Farmers' Law"
Set in OTL
Type of Appearance: Posthumous reference
"Islands in the Sea"
POD: 717 CE
Type of Appearance: Posthumous reference
Date of Birth: 685
Date of Death: 718
Cause of Death: Died during the fall of Constantinople
Relatives: Niketas (grandson)

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 the emperor 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"

Leo III's iconoclasm was surpassed by his son and heir, Constantine V.[2]

Leo III the Isaurian in "Islands in the Sea"

Leo III was the last Byzantine emperor. His reign was short, as Constantinople was attacked and ultimately overrun by Arabs led by Suleiman and Maslama.[3]

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.[4]

References

  1. Justinian, pg. 83.
  2. See, e.g., Atlantis and Other Places, pg. 217.
  3. See, e.g., Departures, pg. 75
  4. 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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