Widely rumored to be the biological son of Michael III rather than Basil I, Leo was despised by Basil, who imprisoned and threatened to blind him after he refused to give up his mistress Zoe. Photius feared Leo's succession because it would cost him power. Brownworth strongly implies Leo was complicit in Basil's mysterious hunting death, since the rescue party was led by the father of Leo's own mistress.
Also known as: Leo the Wise · Leo the Philosopher
What each episode says
Episode 12 (8 mentions)
Widely rumored to be the biological son of Michael III rather than Basil I, Leo was despised by Basil, who imprisoned and threatened to blind him after he refused to give up his mistress Zoe. Photius feared Leo's succession because it would cost him power. Brownworth strongly implies Leo was complicit in Basil's mysterious hunting death, since the rescue party was led by the father of Leo's own mistress.
“that when Basil and Eudosia had their first child, Leo,”
“Phodius wanted to prevent the succession of Leo,”
“if Basil lived, and Leo, even if he wasn't directly involved”
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