| Leo Diogenes | |
|---|---|
| Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans | |
| Byzantine co-emperor | |
| Reign | 1070 – November 1071 |
| Senior emperor | Romanos IV Diogenes |
| Co-emperors | Nikephoros (1069–1071) Michael VII (1071–1078) Konstantios (1060–1078) Andronikos (1068–1070s) |
| Born | c. 1069 |
| Died | 14 August 1087[1] (aged 18) Dristra |
| Father | Romanos IV Diogenes |
| Mother | Eudokia Makrembolitissa |
Leo Diogenes (Greek:Λέων Διογένης,romanized: Leōn Diogenēs;c. 1069 – 14 August 1087), styled asporphyrogenitus, was the son ofByzantine EmperorRomanos IV Diogenes andEudokia Makrembolitissa. Likely crowned co-emperor together with his elder brother during his father's reign in 1070, he later served in the armies of EmperorAlexios I Komnenos. He does not appear on any of Romanos' coins, although there is at least one letter that refers to him as emperor (basileus).[2]Anna Komnene notes that he and his brotherNikephoros both wore thediadem andtzangion (red sandals) usually reserved to emperors.[3]
Leo's birth is not recorded in sources.[2] He had a brother,Nikephoros Diogenes, whose birth is not recorded either.[4]Romanos IV Diogenes andEudokia Makrembolitissa married on 1 January 1068, meaning they were born in late 1068 or early 1069 at the earliest, probably as twins.
Although elevated to the rank of co-emperor on their birth, they were both was banished to a monastery along with their mother after the fall of Romanos. Here they remained until the accession of Alexios I Komnenos in 1081, who took them and raised them like his own sons.[2]
According toAnna Komnene's account, Leo was a committed supporter of Alexios, who urged him not only to confront the Norman invaders early in his reign,[5] but also thePechenegs who had invaded the empire from beyond theDanube.[6] During one of the pitched battles against the Pechenegs, Leo allowed himself to be drawn away from the emperor's side, and as he approached the wagons of the enemy, he was struck down and died on the field of battle.[7]
In 1095 an impostor of Leo,Pseudo-Diogenes, convinced the Cuman chieftainsBoniak andTugorkan to invade theByzantine Empire, dethrone Alexios and install himself as emperor. The Cumans occupiedParistrion before being repulsed by Byzantine forces, led by Alexios.[8][9]