About Leo Diogenes
Lived 1069 – 1087 (aged 17–18). Leo Diogenes was a Byzantine military personnel.
Leo Diogenes (; 1069 – 14 August 1087), styled as porphyrogenitus, was the son of Byzantine Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes and Eudokia Makrembolitissa. Likely crowned co-emperor together with his elder brother during his father's reign in 1070, he later served in the armies of Emperor Alexios 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). Anna Komnene notes that he and his brother Nikephoros both wore the diadem and tzangion (red sandals) usually reserved to emperors.
Life Leo's birth is not recorded in sources. Romanos IV Diogenes and Eudokia 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. but also the Pechenegs who had invaded the empire from beyond the Danube. 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.
In 1095 an impostor of Leo, Pseudo-Diogenes, convinced the Cuman chieftains Boniak and Tugorkan to invade the Byzantine Empire, dethrone Alexios and install himself as emperor. The Cumans occupied Paristrion before being repulsed by Byzantine forces, led by Alexios.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
Family & relationships
People in Leo Diogenes's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Frequently asked questions
Who was Leo Diogenes?
Byzantine co-emperor
When was Leo Diogenes born?
Leo Diogenes was born in 1069 in Constantinople.
When did Leo Diogenes die?
Leo Diogenes died in 1087.
What was Leo Diogenes's occupation?
Leo Diogenes was a military personnel.
What nationality was Leo Diogenes?
Leo Diogenes was Byzantine.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Leo Diogenes. https://biography.guide/leo-diogenes/
MLA: "Leo Diogenes." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/leo-diogenes/.
Chicago: "Leo Diogenes." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/leo-diogenes/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:23 UTC