v23_0685 - LEONTIUS Semissis

LEONTIUS

(late 695 - late 698)

General Leonce, strategist of the nome Hellas revolted against the tyranny of Justinian II in 695. The emperor had his tongue and nose cut off and was sent into exile in Cherson. Taking advantage of the political crisis, the Arabs resumed their victorious conquest of North Africa and seized Carthage in 698. Leonce's regime did not survive this crisis. He was overthrown by Aspimar who took the name of Tiberius III. Léonce was exiled after being mutilated too. In 705, when Justinian II regained power, after torturing them and exposing them to the public, Leonce and Tiberius III were both executed..