Nomos AG
Auction 24 22 May 2022
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Leontius, 695-698. Solidus (Gold, 19.50 mm, 4.32 g, 6 h), Constantinople, Γ = 3rd officina. D LEO-N PE AV Crowned bust of Leontius facing, holding akakia in his upraised right hand and globus cruciger in his left. Rev. VICTORIA AVSЧ Γ /CONOB Cross potent on base and three steps. DOC 1c. MIB 1. SB 1330. With a sharp portrait. Considerable striking flatness, otherwise, extremely fine.
Leontius was the strategos of the Anatolic Theme under the emperor Constantine IV. Early in Justinian II's reign, he led Byzantine forces against the Islamic Caliphate forcing the caliph, Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, to sue for peace. During a subsequent attack on the Caliphate, however, he was not so successful, and was imprisoned by Justinian for his failures. After his release in 695, he rose in revolt, captured Justinian and had him mutilated by cutting off his nose, then exiled him. Leontius' reign was short-lived, himself falling prey to the usurper Apsimar, who took the name Tiberius III. In an ironic twist of fate, Apsimar had Leontius' nose and tongue removed, and banished him to a monastery. After Justinian II reclaimed the throne, he had both Leontius and Tiberius III executed.
Leontius was the strategos of the Anatolic Theme under the emperor Constantine IV. Early in Justinian II's reign, he led Byzantine forces against the Islamic Caliphate forcing the caliph, Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, to sue for peace. During a subsequent attack on the Caliphate, however, he was not so successful, and was imprisoned by Justinian for his failures. After his release in 695, he rose in revolt, captured Justinian and had him mutilated by cutting off his nose, then exiled him. Leontius' reign was short-lived, himself falling prey to the usurper Apsimar, who took the name Tiberius III. In an ironic twist of fate, Apsimar had Leontius' nose and tongue removed, and banished him to a monastery. After Justinian II reclaimed the throne, he had both Leontius and Tiberius III executed.