Leontius the Usurper

#OnThisDay: On July 19, 484 AD, a Syrian named Leontius became a usurper against Emperor Zeno. General Illus convinced Leontius to defect. Since Illus was an Isaurian, the people saw the Isaurians as barbarians. The same went for Zeno. Eight days later, he came to Antioch, chose officials, and produced coins. On August 8, Zeno defeated him in Antioch with Roman and Ostrogothic foederati. They retreated to Papurius in Cilicia and stayed for four years until Leontius’ execution.