Leontius

Leontius, born in Isauria, was strategos of the Anatolic Theme who campaigned against the Umayyads in Armenia and forced the caliph to make peace in 688. Around the time of the Byzantine defeat at Sebastopolis in 692, Justinian II imprisoned him, but released him in 695 to lead the Theme of Hellas.

He rebelled at once, seized Constantinople, mutilated and exiled Justinian to Cherson, and ruled as Emperor Leo until 698, when Carthage was lost. A recovery expedition he sent failed and its officers rebelled. Overthrown in 698 by the officer Apsimar (Tiberius III), he was beheaded alongside Tiberius after Justinian II returned to power, on 15 February 706.