Leontia (fl. 602–610)

views updated

Leontia (fl. 602–610)

Byzantine empress. Flourished between 602 and 610; married Phocas I (Phokas), Byzantine emperor (r. 602–610).

Leontia was married to Phocas I, a formidable tyrant who executed his predecessor, Emperor Maurice Tiberius, husband of Constantina (fl. 582–602), and all nine of their children, including her babe in arms. (The fate of Constantina is unknown.) Practically nothing is known of Phocas' wife Leontia, except that the public considered her "as bad as Phocas."

More From encyclopedia.com