Leontius (usurper)

Zeno was not popular with the people of Constantinople, a crucial part of Eastern Roman politics, because he was an Isaurian (although he might just as well have been Syrian as Theophanes points out directly)[2] and as such he was considered a barbarian (which is why he had suffered an usurpation in 475/476 by Basiliscus); Illus, who also was an Isaurian, decided not to take it for himself but to raise Leontius to the throne.

Leontius's coronation took place in Tarsus on July 19, 484 – the day was chosen, following the advice of some astrologers, as a favourable day[3] – at the hands of Empress Dowager Verina, who then sent a letter to the governors of the Diocese of the East and of the Diocese of Egypt suggesting they accept the usurper as emperor.

Leontius was recognized in Antioch, where he entered July 27, and in some other places; he even had time to nominate officers[4] and to mint coins, before facing the reaction of Zeno.

Illus and Leontius were forced to take refuge inside the fortress of Papurius, where the insurgents held out for four years.

In 488 the fortress fell through treachery; Leontius was put to death, beheaded at Seleucia on the Calycadnus, and his head was sent to Zeno.