Leo 15 was the emperor Leo V. Leo 15 was son of Bardas 4: Scriptor Incertus 336, 340. Leo 15 was a native of Armenia: Scriptor Incertus 336, 340, Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 489D (τῷ Ἀρμενίῳ), Leo Gramm. 207, Pseudo-Sym 603, Georg. Mon. Cont. 763, Theoph. Cont. I 1 (p. 6) (πατρὶς μὲν ... Ἀρμενία), II 10 (p. 52) (ὁ ἐξ Ἀρμενίων), Scyl., p. 5, Zon. XV 17.13 (ὁ Ἀρμένιος Λέων), Vita S. Theophylacti 10, Vita Nic. Stud. 877C, Theophanes Presbyter, Logos on Nikephoros Patriarches (BHG 1336-1337) (Ioannou, Mnemeia hagiologika, 115-128) cap. 2-5, pp. 117-120 (from Armenia). Leo 15 was a native of Armenia and son of Bardas the patrikios (Bardas 4) (ὁ Βάρδα μὲν τοῦ πατρικίου υἱός, ἐξ Ἀρμενίων κατάγων τὸ γένος): Genesius II 4. Leo 15 was a son of Bardas 4: Annales Regni Francorum s.a. 813. Said to be descended partly from Assyrians, partly from Armenians: Theoph. Cont. I 1 (p. 6), Pseudo-Sym. 603, Genesius I 8,24 (this information is dubious; cf. however R. J. H. Jenkins, Byzantium, The Imperial Centuries AD 610-1071 (London, 1966), p. 130, suggesting that "Assyrians" meant "Syrians" and was conferred by his religious opponents, the iconophiles).

His parents were supposedly exiled for parricide and were living in poverty when Leo 15 (τὸν εἰρημένον θῆρα) was born; in his teens (ἄρτι γοῦν εἰς ἐφήβους ὁ Λέων ἐτάττετο) he left his homeland to live at the village of Pidra in the Anatolic theme; there he grew to manhood, acquiring a reputation as an aggressive fighter but recognised as of noble family: Theoph. Cont. I 1 (p. 6), cf. Genesius I 6 (he grew up at Pidra in the Anatolic theme). In fact he was probably born in Armenia and accompanied his parents to live in the empire, perhaps in 788; cf. Treadgold, The Byzantine Revival, p. 196 with note 262. Described as vigorous and active; Scyl., p. 5 (cited below).

Leo 15 was given the nickname Chamaeleon "by a holy man" (unnamed) because of his inconsistency, especially over the question of traditional church beliefs (i.e. the icon question, cf. below): Scriptor Incertus 341 (ποτὲ μὲν ὡς χρηστολόγος καὶ ἄριστος φαινόμενος ποτὲ καὶ τοὐναντίον, ὃπερ καὶ δικαίως ἐπωνομάσθη Χαμαιλέων ὑπὸ ἁγίου ἀνδρός), cf. Pseudo-Sym. 603 (totally misunderstanding this explanation, the text says that he was nicknamed Chamaeleon because of his short stature). He was short and fat but handsome, with a full beard and thick hair (cf. also Theoph. Cont. I 25, p. 39), a thunderous voice like a lion, and was sometimes brave, sometimes timid: Pseudo- Sym. 603. He was gifted with an excellent singing voice: Theoph. Cont. I 25 (p. 39) (ἦν γὰρ φύσει τε εὔφωνος καὶ ἐν ταῖς μελῳδίαις τῶν κατ' ἐκεῖνο καιροῦ ἀνθρώπων ἡδύτατος), Zon. XV 21.37 (ᾤετο εὐφωνεῖν καὶ εἶναι μελῳδικώτατος). According to Genesius, at the time when he served under Bardanes 3 he was manly in appearance but grim looking (ἀνδρικὸν τῆν ὄψιν καὶ βλοσυρωπὸν τὸ κατάστημα) but was middle-aged and sociable (μεσήλικα καὶ εὐόμιλον): Genesius I 6.

The name of Leo 15's (first) wife is given as Barka 1, apparently a name given in derision by Prokopia 1, the wife of Michael I (Michael 7): Scyl., p. 8, Genesius I 3. She may have been a daughter of Bardanes 3 Tourkos; Leo 15 is perhaps to be identified with the unnamed individual who was taken into the service of an unnamed strategos (perhaps Bardanes 3) and who later married one of his daughters: Theoph. Cont. II 5 (pp. 44-45), Genesius II 1, and see also Michael 10. Leo 15 was later married to Theodosia 1, the daughter of Arsaber 1: Theoph. Cont. I 21 (p. 35). They had four sons, Konstantinos 29 (Symbatios Konstantinos), Basilios 54, Gregorios 70 and Theodosios 39: Theoph. Cont. II 1 (p. 41), Zon. XV 22. 2. Father of Symbates (i.e. Konstantinos 29): Scriptor Incertus 346. His wife (Theodosia 1) and their children survived him: Leo Gramm. 210-211, Theoph. Cont. I 21 (p. 35), II 7 (p. 46). He was either uncle or cousin of Gregorios Pterotos (Gregorios 71): Theoph. Cont. II 14 (p. 57). He was cousin of Bryennios 3: Sabas, Vita Ioannicii 16 (ἀδελφιδός), Petrus, Vita Ioannicii 16 (ἐξάδελφος). Bryennios 3 was a son of Bardanes 3 Tourkos; Bardanes 3 was therefore an uncle of Leo 15.

With reference to the old friendship between Leo 15 and Michael 10 (see below), Theophanes Continuatus uses the phrase: τὴν παλαιὰν φιλίαν τοῦ σὺν αὐτῷ τραφέντος ἀνδρὸς Μιχαὴλ; Theoph. Cont. I 4, p. 12. This implies that Leo 15 and Michael 10 had grown up together, but it probably refers rather to their service together under Bardanes 3, and possibly to shared military experiences before then. In an anecdote recorded in Theophanes Continuatus (I 12, p. 24) Michael 7 Rhangabe is referred to as the benefactor and synteknos of Leo 15; perhaps Michael 7 was godfather to a child of Leo 15's (possibly Symbatios). Leo 15 himself was the godfather of the son of Michael the Stammerer (Michael 10) (presumably the future emperor, Theophilos 5): Theoph. Cont. I 12 (pp. 23-24), Genesius I 11. In turn Michael 10 was also the godfather of a son of Leo 15: Theoph. Cont. II 7 (p. 46).

Probably in 802 (under the emperor Nikephoros 8, when Bardanes 3 Tourkos became monostrategos of the anatolic themes), Leo 15 was enrolled by Bardanes 3 among his bodyguards and close attendants, being chosen because of his height and his impressive appearance and also because he was an agreeable companion (τοῦτόν τε, περὶ οὗ ὁ λόγος, τὸν Λέοντα καταπληκτικὸν βλέποντα καὶ γενναῖον ἀνάστημα ἔχοντα καὶ ἄλλως ἀστεῖον ἐν ταῖς ὁμιλίαις δοκοῦντα τοῖς ἑαυτοῦ δορυφόροις ἐγκαταλέγει καὶ διακόνοις); at about the same time he was joined by Michael the Stammerer (Michael 10) and by Thomas the Slav (Thomas 7), all three being allegedly men of humble origins and no great pretensions who had recently attracted the attention of military officers (ταπεινοὺς πάντας καὶ ἀζήλους ὄντας καὶ ἀρτίως εἰς γνῶσιν ἀγομένους τοῖς τὰς πολεμικὰς ἐγκεχειρισμένοις ἀρχάς): Theoph. Cont. I 1 (pp. 6-7). He was the chief groom of Bardanes 3 (τῶν ἱπποκόμων κατάρχοντα), who chose him for his service because of his appearance and his good nature and because he had distinguished himself in the service of the state (διὰ ... τὸ πολλοῖς ἔμπρεψαι πολιτικοῖς προτερήμασιν): Scyl., p. 9. Their prospects depended on Bardanes 3; it was supposedly in 803 that a monk at Philomelion (Anonymus 57) foretold to Bardanes 3 that Michael 10 and Leo 15 would become emperors and that Thomas 7 would be proclaimed emperor but would not secure the throne: Theoph. Cont. I 2 (pp. 7-8), Zon. XV 19. 6-8, Scyl., pp. 9-10, Genesius I 6. However when Bardanes 3 rebelled in July 803 against the emperor Nikephoros 8, Michael 10 and Leo 15 both deserted to Nikephoros 8; as a reward Leo 15 was appointed commander of the foederati and was given the imperial domus of Zeno and the domus of Dagistheus: Theoph. Cont. I 3 (p. 9) (τὴν φοιδεράτων (sc. ἀρχήν) καὶ βασιλικὸν οἶκον τοῦ Ζήνωνος καὶ τὸν Δαγίσθεα), Scyl., pp. 10-11 (Λέων τοῦ τῶν φοιδεράτων ἡγεμὼν ἀνεδείχθη τάγματος), Genesius I 8 (τὴν τῶν φοιβεράτων (sic) ... ἐγχειρίζεται). He was the tourmarches of the foederati; see Haldon, Byzantine Praetorians, p. 246 with note 661. This appointment gave him status and made him famous (ἐκ ταπεινοῦ καὶ ἀδόξου περίβλεπτος ὁραθεὶς κατὰ τὴν τῶν φοιδεράτων ἀρχήν), although his act of ingratitude towards his benefactor (Bardanes 3) was held against him; however he strengthened his position by defeating the Arabs in many successful encounters (μάχαις μάχας ἐπισυνάπτων κατὰ τῶν Ἰσμαηλιτῶν ἠνδραγαθίζετο) and showing great abilities: Theoph. Cont. I 4 (pp. 10-11), cf. Scyl., p. 11 (while serving under the command of the strategos of the Anatolikoi - ὑποστρατηγῶν τῷ τότε τῷ τῶν Ἀνατολικῶν ἄρχοντι - he assumed responsibility when an Arab attack occurred - τὴν ἀρχὴν ὁ Λέων καὶ δύναμιν ὑφ' ἑαυτὸν ἔχων - and defeated them, so enhancing his reputation), Genesius I 8 (he became hypostrategos of the Anatolikoi - τῶν Ἀνατολικῶν ὑποστράτηγος - and served against the Arabs).

In early 811 he was strategos of the Armeniakoi (Λέοντι, στρατηγῷ τῶν Ἀρμενιακῶν): Theoph. AM 6303. This fact is not recorded in Theophanes Continuatus but is not inconsistent with the narrative there; moreover Euchaita (see below) was inside the Armeniakon theme. While Leo 15 and a large force were escorting the pay for his troops, he was attacked by the Arabs near Euchaita and all the money, thirteen hundred pounds of gold, and many of his men were captured; the date was 1 March 811 (the first Saturday of Lent; Theophanes places the event in February; cf. Grumel, Chronologie, pp. 310 and 312, for the dates of Easter and Lent in 811 ): Theoph. AM 6303, Theoph. Cont. I 4 (p. 11; he was guilty of negligence and of ignoring his orders). He was punished by the emperor (Nikephoros 8), who had him beaten and sent him into exile: Theoph. Cont. I 4 (p. 11), Scriptor Incertus 336 (he was also tonsured).

After the deaths of Nikephoros 8 and Staurakios 2 and the accession of Michael I (Michael 7) in October 811, he was recalled from exile by Michael 7: Theoph. Cont. I 4 (p. 12) (ἀπολύεται ὁ Λέων τῆς ὑπερορίας κατὰ τὸ ἐπικράτησαν ἔθος τῆς χρηστότητος ἕνεκεν τοῖς Ῥωμαίων βασιλεῦσι, καὶ τῆς φυγῆς κατάγεται), Scriptor Incertus 336 (recalled by Michael). He was first appointed as one of the palace guards (καὶ τοῖς αὐτοῦ τούτου δὴ τοῦ Μιχαὴλ ῥαβδούχοις τοῖς κατὰ τὰ ἀνάκτορα συντάττεται ἐφεδρεύουσι): Theoph. Cont. I 4 (p. 12). Shortly afterwards he was made patrikios and strategos of the Anatolikoi: Theoph. Cont. I 4 (p. 12) (καὶ πατρικίων τιμᾶται μετ' οὐ πολὺ τιμῇ, καὶ στρατηγὸς Ἀνατολικῶν ἀναδείκνυται), Scriptor Incertus 336 (ἐποίησαν αὐτὸν πατρίκιον καὶ στρατηγὸν τῶν ἀνατολικῶν), cf. Scyl., p. 11 (he was given the title patrikios by the emperor Michael I - τὸ τῶν πατρικίων λαμβάνει ἀξίωμα), Genesius I 8 (he was made patrikios by Michael - τιμᾶτι τῷ τῶν πατρικίων μεγαλοπρεπεῖ ἀξιώματι). Appointed strategos of the Anatolikoi by the emperor Michael 7: Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 489D (and cf. below). Appointed strategos of the Anatolikoi by Michael 7 during Michael 7's second year (812/813) in preparation for the war with the "Huns" (i.e. the Bulgars): Sabas, Vita Ioannicii 16 (παμπληθεὶ μέλλων ἐξίεναι κατὰ τῶν Οὕννων Λέοντα τὸν Ἀμαληκίτην στρατηγὸν τῶν Ἀνατολικῶν προχειρίζεται), cf. Petrus, Vita Ioannicii 16 (ὁῖά τε στρατηγοῦντα τῷ τῶν Ἀνατολικῶν θέματι, he accompanied Michael 7 against the Bulgars) (and see below). At this time his former friendship with Michael 10 was renewed (cf. above) and he made Michael 10 his closest confidant, entrusting him with his secrets and with the most responsible tasks (τῶν ἀπορρήτων μύστην λαμβάνων, τῶν ἔνδον τε εἶχεν πιστότατον καὶ τῶν ἐκτὸς πρακτικώτατον): Theoph. Cont. I 4 (p. 12), cf. II 7 (p. 46) (he was the second benefactor of Michael 10, the first having been Bardanes 3). According to Scylitzes, when a successor to Staurakios 2 was being sought, Leo 15 was already patrikios and commander of the Anatolikoi; Michael 7, offered the throne, proposed Leo 15 instead and only accepted the throne when Leo 15 promised him life long support and took oaths of loyalty: Scyl., p. 5 (τῷ πατρικίῳ δὲ Λέοντι τῷ ἐξ Ἀρμενίων, ἀνδρὶ θυμοειδεῖ δοκοῦντι καὶ δραστηρίῳ καὶ τοῦ στρατεύματος τῶν Ἀνατολικῶν ἄρχοντι τηνικαῦτα).

This account is not consistent with the versions of Theophanes or of Theophanes Continuatus, according to which Leo 15 remained in exile until after Michael 7 had become emperor. Perhaps Leo 15 was recalled between the deaths of Nikephoros 8 and Staurakios 2. In 812, under Michael I (Michael 7), Leo 15 is attested as strategos of the Anatolikoi (Λέοντος, τοῦ στρατηγοῦ τῶν ἀνατολικῶν and Λέων, ὁ τῶν ἀνατολικῶν στρατηγός); he carried out the emperor's policy towards the heretics known as the Athinganoi, confiscating their property and sending them into exile; he also encountered an Arab army which invaded in August 812 (indiction five) under Thebit 2 and defeated it, killing some two thousand men and capturing horses and chariots: Theoph. AM 6304, cf. Zon. XV 17. 13 (while strategos of the Anatolikoi, he defeated an Arab force and captured horses and weapons). When peace negotiations with the Bulgar ruler Krum 1 failed, Leo 15 was summoned from the East with his troops by the emperor Michael 7 (Μιχαὴλ τὸν ἑαυτοῦ ὑποστράτηγον Λέοντα ἐπανάγειν καὶ διαπεραιοῦσθαι ἐκ τῆς Ἀνατολῆς θᾶττον ἠξίου μετὰ καὶ τῶν δυνάμεων): Theoph. Cont. I 6 (p. 13). In June 813 he was patrikios and strategos of the Anatolikoi (Λέων, ὁ πατρίκιος καὶ στρατηγὸς τῶν ἀνατολικῶν) with the army of Michael 7 at Bersinikia (in Thrace): Theoph. AM 6305, cf. Leo Gramm. 206 (Λέων ὁ πατρίκιος καὶ στρατηγὸς τῶν ἀνατολικῶν, proclaimed emperor later in 813, cf. below), Scyl., p. 6 (Λέων ὁ τῶν Ἀνατολικῶν στρατηγός), p. 7 (Λέοντα τὸν στρατηγὸν τῶν Ἀνατολικῶν), Genesius I 1 (Λέοντός γε τηνικαῦτα στρατηγοῦντος τῶν Ἀνατολικῶν), I 3 (Λέων ὁ τοῦ α' θέματος ἐξηγούμενος). Theophanes Continuatus records an anecdote from the reign of Michael I (Michael 7) that the next emperor would bear the name Leo; this is supposed to have raised the spirits of Leo 15 and depressed Michael 7: Theoph. Cont. I 11 (pp. 21-23) (see Theodotos 2), and cf. also Scyl., pp. 11-12 for the prophecy. According to Theophanes, Leo 15 and Ioannes 19 were eager to attack the Bulgar army close by but were prevented by the emperor Michael I (Michael 7); Theoph. AM 6305. According to Theophanes Continuatus the emperor Michael I (Michael 7), before Bersinikia, saw the opportunity to make peace and avoid fighting but was overpersuaded by Leo 15 who demanded to fight and promised victory; however, when the battle began, Leo 15 immediately retreated leaving the emperor Michael 7 to his fate, supposedly influenced by his imperial ambitions; an alternative version recorded in this source claims that Leo 15 in fact stood firm with his troops and it was Michael 7's men who fled; however, after the Roman defeat Leo 15 remained behind to prevent the Bulgars from raiding and plundering any further and was then proclaimed emperor by the army which was disillusioned with Michael 7; Leo 15 is alleged to have promoted their discontent: Theoph. Cont. I 6 (pp. 14-16), Genesius I 1-2. Theophanes says that, after the crushing defeat of the imperial army on 22 June, Leo 15 was allegedly invited by Michael 7 to share the throne, but refused and was left in command of the surviving forces while the emperor returned to Constantinople; Leo 15 is described as a pious man and very brave, fit in every way to be emperor; the army commanders and the troops urged him, for the public good, to assume power; he continued to refuse, protesting his loyalty to the ruling house and also pointing to the Bulgar peril, but when the Bulgars approached Constantinople he gave way and agreed; Leo 15 sent a declaration of faith to the patriarch Nikephoros 2 and was proclaimed emperor outside the city by the army commanders and the troops: Theoph. AM 6305 (ἐννομώτατος βασιλεὺς Ῥωμαίων), cf. Leo Gramm. 206 (proclaimed by the army and its commanders ἐν τῷ κάμπῳ τοῦ τριβουναλίου).

According to the Scriptor Incertus 336 Leo 15 was a bad man who rebelled against Michael I (Michael 7) and Prokopia 1. Strategos of the Anatolikoi, he was unexpectedly proclaimed emperor by his troops and escorted by them into the city, meeting no opposition: Scriptor Incertus 340. A hostile tradition similar to that in Theophanes Continuatus is recorded in Scylitzes; at Bersinikia the imperial army was winning until Leo 15, to further his own imperial ambitions, withdrew his forces from the battle; afterwards he remained in Thrace to guard against Bulgar forays while the emperor Michael 7 retired to Constantinople; Leo 15 then allegedly criticised Michael 7 and blamed him for the defeat, and many of the defeated soldiers joined him; the troops then openly acclaimed Leo 15 emperor; urged on by Michael of Amorion (Michael 10) Leo 15 accepted the crown and was proclaimed emperor: Scyl., pp. 6-7, Zon. XV 18. 10-17. When Michael I (Michael 7) re-entered Constantinople he is said to have described Leo 15, the man he left in charge of the army, as a man of great presence of mind and a loyal supporter (ἀνδρά τε ἀγχινούστατον καὶ εὔνουν τῇ βασιλείᾳ), a judgement which Ioannes Hexaboulios (Ioannes 81) told him was gravely mistaken: Scyl., p. 7, cf. Theoph. Cont. I 8 (p. 17) (Ioannes 81 criticised the decision to leave Leo 15 behind in command of the armies and urged Michael 7 to remove him with all speed), Genesius I 3 (Michael 7 praised Leo 15 to Ioannes 81 Hexaboulios for his astuteness and his loyalty shortly before his rebellion was announced).

Also hostile is the Life of Peter of Atroa, where Leo 15 is called a forerunner of the Anti-Christ, coming from the gates of Hell; rebelliously he came from Thrace with his supporters (μετά τινός συμμορίας) against Constantinople, where he provoked such consternation that Michael 7 surrendered the throne to him; he then resumed the attack on icons and began to persecute iconophiles: Vita Petr. Atr. 12 (p. 97), Vita Retractata 19 (p. 97).

Leo 15 overthrew Michael 7 and like Leo III (Leo 3) began to persecute those who venerated icons; he is called "beast by name and beast in character" (θηριώνυμος καὶ θηριότροπος): Vita Nicetae Medicii (AASS April I) 31. He became emperor by driving Michael 7 from the throne and proceeded to forbid the veneration of icons: Vita S. Theophylacti 10-14. According to the Life of Ignatios, Leo 15 was appointed strategos of the Anatolikoi by Michael 7, went on the expedition against the Bulgars, and then rebelled against Michael 7: Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 489D (Λέοντι δὴ τῷ Ἀρμενίῳ, φημὶ, στρατηγῷ μὲν πρῶτον ὑπ' αὐτοῦ τῶν Ἀνατολικῶν προχειρισθέντι, κατὰ Βουλγάρων δὲ στρατευσαμένῳ, κἀκεῖθεν τὴν ἐπανάστασιν βουλευσαμένῳ). Appointed to lead the troops as strategos against the Bulgars, he bribed the soldiers and was proclaimed emperor: Vita Nic. Stud. 877C-880A. According to the Chron. 1234 Leo 15 patrikios was responsible for driving away from Constantinople the Bulgars who were besieging it; he pursued them and defeated them, killing their king (Krum 1), and then returned to Constantinople where he was proclaimed emperor in place of Michael 7: Chron. 1234, §§201-202 (II, pp. 13-14).

Leo 15 succeeded Michael 7 as emperor: Annales Regni Francorum s.a. 813. His accession was allegedly foretold to Bryennios 3 by Ioannikios 2; Leo 15 campaigned against the Bulgars, then revolted and overthrew Michael 7 and assumed the throne: Sabas, Vita Ioannicii 16, Petrus, Vita Ioannici 16. Leo 15 then sent Bryennios 3 back to ask Ioannikios 2 how long his reign would last but Ioannikios 2 revealed only that he would become a persecutor of the church: Petrus, Vita Ioannicii 17.

When Leo 15 entered the city, Michael 7 and his family assumed monastic garb, and Leo 15 was crowned by the patriarch (nikephoros 2) on the following day, 12 July 813 (indiction six) in the pulpit of Hagia Sophia; he took vigorous steps to defend the city against Krum 1, who eventually withdrew: Theoph. AM 6305. His entry into Constantinople is described in Theoph. Cont.I 9 (pp. 18-19) and his treatment of Michael 7 in Theoph. Cont. I 10 (pp. 19-20), cf. Genesius I 4-5, Zon. XV 18. 18-21. He was crowned emperor in July 813 (indiction 6): Theoph. Cont. I 12 (p. 23). He gave written reassurances to the patriarch Nikephoros 2 about his faith and was crowned emperor by him: Scriptor Incertus 340-341 (dating his coronation to June 10, indiction seven, i.e. 814), Leo Gramm. 207, Pseudo-Sym. 604, Georg. Mon. Cont. 763. At Easter 814 Leo 15 crowned his son Symbatios emperor and changed his name to Konstantinos (i.e. Konstantinos 29); the subsequent acclamations, to Leo and Constantine (i.e. Leo 15 and Konstantinos 29), recalled those to the former iconoclast emperors, Leo III (Leo 3) and Constantine V (Konstantinos 7): Scriptor Incertus 346. He was emperor for seven years five months: Theoph. Cont. I 26 (p. 40), Leo Gramm. 207, Pseudo-Sym. 604, Georg. Mon. Cont. 763. Described as an apostate and enemy of images: Leo Gramm. 207 (Λέων ὁ Ἀρμένιος ὁ παραβάτης), Pseudo-Sym. 604 (ὁ παραβάτης καὶ εἰκονομάχος), Georg. Mon. Cont. 763 (παραβάτης ὓστερον ἀναφανείς). For his actions against those who supported the veneration of icons, see Vita Nicetae Medicii (AASS April I), 31-43, Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 492D-493A , Vita Nic. Stud. 880Bff., Vita Method. 1248A, Sabas, Vita Ioannicii 17, Petrus, Vita Ioannicii 18, cf. Theoph. Cont. II 7 (p. 47) (an iconoclast), Genesius I 13,15,22, Synax. Eccl. Const. 381,29-382,3, 379.380,56ff. Among the victims of his persecution were Symeon 13, Acta Davidis, Symeonis et Georgii (BHG 494) 227,25-30; Makarios 9, Acta Macarii Pelecetae (BHG 1003), p. 153,13-154,31 (imprisoned Makarios 9), 155,33-156,5 (banished him); Nikephoros 2, Synax. Eccl. Const. 577/578,45-579/580,27, Synax. Eccl. Const. 724,20-725,12, Theophanes Presbyter, Logos on Nikephoros Patriarches (BHG 1336-1337) (Ioannou, Mnemeia hagiologika, 115-128) cap. 2-5, pp. 117-120; Michael 51, Vita Mich. Sync. 12, 13, 14; Euthymios 1, Vita Euthym Sard. 8-10; Hilarion 1, Synax. Hilarion. Dalmat (BHG 2177b) 733/734, 25-42; Theophanes 18, Vita Theoph. Conf. (BHG 1788), p. 292ff. cap. 7, p. 293, cap. 8; Niketas 43, Vita Nicetae Medicii (BHG 1342) 39, 43.

Leo 15's abilities as a ruler were later praised by the former patriarch Nikephoros 2; his appointments to public office were wise and judicious, and he demonstrated a keen interest in the administration of justice: Genesius I 16. He vigorously strengthened the defences of the empire in Thrace and Macedonia: Genesius I 23.

Leo 15 saw Tarasios 1 in a dream ordering someone called Michael to kill him; on waking he had monks from Tarasios 1's monastery brought before him and tortured to reveal who the possible assassin might be; a day later, however, he was killed by Michael 10: Ignatius, Vita Tarasii 67. In late 820 he imprisoned Michael 10 on conspiracy charges and wanted him executed but was deterred by his wife on the grounds that it was wrong to kill him during the Christmas celebrations; on Christmas Day Leo 15 was assassinated in the Church of Hagia Sophia by supporters of Michael 10; his corpse was removed wrapped in cheap rags to the island of Prote, where his children were tonsured and forced to become monks: Leo Gramm. 210-211, Nicetas, Vita Ignatii 493AB (after reigning for seven years), Theoph. Cont. I 25-26 (pp. 38-40), II 1 (pp. 40-41), Zon. XV 21. 1-41, Genesios I 17-21, cf. 24 (his reign lasted for seven years and five months), II 5, Vita Nic. Stud. 889B, cf. Vita Petr. Atr. 33, p. 137 (on his death he was succeeded by Michael 10), Vita Method. 1248B (murdered under the altar and succeeded by Michael 10), Sabas, Vita Ioannicii 24, Petrus, Vita Ioannicii 30 (his murder foretold by Ioannikios 2 after Leo 15 had reigned for seven and a half years), Annales Regni Francorum s.a. 821. The time was the tenth hour of the night (four o'clock in the morning): Theoph. Cont. I 26 (p. 40). Vengeance was taken on his murderers by the emperor Theophilos (Theophilos 5) in 829/830: Leo Gramm. 214 (allegedly because the man they murdered was an iconoclast). According to one version of events, the rebellion of Thomas the Slav (Thomas 7) was partly motivated by the desire to avenge the murder of Leo 15, who had been a patron of Thomas 7: Theoph. Cont. II 11 (p. 52). An opponent of icons, he was murdered by his own bodyguard (ὑπὸ τῶν ἰδίων ταξιάρχων) and justly punished: Vita S. Evaristi 2 (p. 297). He was succeeded by Michael II (Michael 10), who murdered him: Chron. 1234, §209 (II, p. 21).

For Leo 15's imperial seals, see Zacos and Veglery 48 (Leo alone) and 49 a-d (named jointly with his son Konstantinos 29).

Leo 15 was a patrician; under the emperor Michael I (Michael 7) he fought against the Bulgars and defeated them and killed their king; then he overthrew Michael 7 and made himself emperor, reigning for seven and a half years; he made peace with the Bulgars and gave them the land, a salt marsh, about which they had been fighting: Bar Hebr., p. 125. In the year 1133 Sel. (821/822) he was overthrown and replaced by Michael 10; he had planned to execute Michael 10 but postponed doing so when his wife asked him not to carry out the execution on that day which was the Friday of the Crucifixion, and he was then killed himself by Michael 10's supporters: Bar Hebr., p. 129.

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