Leo VI the Wise

Leo VI (866 – 912), also known as Leo VI the Wise, was Emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 886 to 912. A member of the Macedonian dynasty, he succeeded his father Basil I, who had usurped the throne from the previous Emperor Michael III.

Biography

Early childhood

Leo was born to Empress Eudocia Ingerina and Emperor Basil I. However, his parentage came into question due to Eudocia's former relationship with the late Emperor Michael III. Thus, Leo became a target of assassination on the order of his father, with the help of the Order of the Ancients.

As a result, Leo began to learn archery from his Varangian guard Justin so he could protect himself. However, when demonstrating his newfound skill to his father, Leo's arm was broken by Basil, which led Justin to distance himself from Leo to prevent his father from inflicting further harm upon the boy.

Protected by Hytham

With Justin removed as Leo's guard, the boy was brought before his new guard Hytham, a new recruit for the Varangian guard under Thyra's Eagle Clan. Leo introduced himself to and greeted Hytham before Justin took him away from the boy. Later, Leo began his studies with his tutor Theodore before being met by Hytham again. As the time for dinner arrived, Leo showed him the dining hall alongside his nurse, Anna.

At night, Leo went to sleep but began to have nightmares. After Hytham calmed him down, they noticed a viper at the foot of his bed. Leo was instantly muffled and protected before Hytham killed the snake. Immediately, Leo was taken to Thyra while Hytham went to check the area. After Hytham found the last viper, Leo was secured by both Thyra and Hytham. The next day, Leo was brought into the emperor's room and was instructed to thank and falsely apologize to Hytham for letting the snakes inside his room. Leo was later escorted out of the room by Hytham.

Convinced that his recklessness had gotten Drina killed, Leo was told by Hytham that he was not responsible and that his father was twisting his mind. Leo understood and was surprised when he met Hytham's friend Basim ibn Ishaq. With an injury to his shoulder, Leo was given a healing salve before Basim performed a trick. After closing his eyes, he opened them and saw Basim gone instantly. Left alone with Hytham, Leo asked about his Hidden Blade and wanted to learn how to use it. Hytham declined but offered to teach him how to move quietly like a Hidden One instead.

The next day, Leo tried to race his horse Sky accompanied by Justin and Hytham but kept failing and being insulted by Justin. Saddened, he gave up until Hytham told him to re-establish trust with Sky. Two weeks later, Leo practised stealth and was told by Hytham that it depended on how one moved and what they wore. He was also told that he may become a fairer ruler than his father as he continued his training. That night, Leo slept through another attack but was fortunately unscathed.

The next day, Leo was left in the care of both Anna and Thyra while Hytham and Basim trailed Justin's movements. However, during the night, the children's wing came under attack by the Order of the Ancients, who overwhelmed the guards. Leo hid in one of the garden's fountains until he was found by Hytham. However, they were cornered by two Order members. Leo climbed and hid in a tree while Hytham held off the attackers. Although Hytham was nearly killed, Basim came, defeated one of the attackers, and scared the remaining one away.

Later, Leo noticed his protector missing after Hytham had left to track an injured Order member. Accompanying Thyra and Basim, he joined their search for Hytham and arrived at an Order hideout. Remaining safe, Leo was told to hide while Basim and Thyra attacked the Order assailants and their leader, Isaac, and rescued Hytham. After defeating most of the Order members and saving Hytham, Leo helped Hytham outside while Thyra and Basim inspected and cleaned after the fight. Grateful, Leo admitted that he was relieved to see Hytham alive and hugged him; a gesture Hytham returned. They later journeyed back to the palace with evidence of Theodore's involvement in the recent attack and Leo out of harm's way.

Days later, Leo joined his family on a picnic to Philopation, as Basil wanted to maintain appearances and escape the inquiries about the attack. The next day, Leo was joined at the stables by his former guard Justin, who disclosed the truth behind his cold behavior, and they reconciled as Leo began riding Sky.

Capture and rescue

On the day of Basil's Hippodrome race, Leo and his family arrived and enjoyed the race from inside their imperial box. However, when Basil went to partake in the race, his cart crashed while an arrow was loosed into the box. With Thyra grabbing Empress Eudocia, Leo was left alone and taken hostage by a female Order assailant. Fortunately, Hytham, Basim, Justin, and Thyra followed Leo and his captor outside the arena, where they came to a dead end in an alley, just as Isaac and more Order members joined the scuffle.

While the two sides fought each other, Leo managed to break free from his captor by biting her. Grabbed by Basim, he was secured while Thyra took care of his captor and another Order member. Leo was told to run into the streets, but an Order member gave chase. Fortunately, Justin came to Leo's rescue and began fighting the Order assailant in public. After Justin won the fight and killed the attacker, both he and Leo were hailed as heroes and applauded by the people around them.

Afterwards, Leo's life was no longer in danger and the alliance between Basil and the Order was severed. At Demetrios Hestiun's house, he surprised Hytham one last time as he came to say his goodbyes and thank him for everything. Following an emotional farewell, Leo left the house with his mother as Hytham looked on alongside Basim.

Behind the scenes

Leo VI is a historical figure and character introduced in the 2023 novel Assassin's Creed: The Golden City, written by Jaleigh Johnson. The book's events take place in 867, when Leo would have still been a toddler, but the novel portrays him as a young child instead. This is an odd choice for the author to have made given that Basil I had an older son, Constantine, whose age would have aligned more naturally, being somewhere between 2 and 12. On the other hand, Basil is historically documented to have despised Leo, suspecting him to be Michael III's son, and did not harbor the same contempt or suspicions towards Constantine, who was born to Basil's previous wife before he became emperor.

Historically it was widely believed – apparently even by Leo himself – that he was indeed Michael III's son. One of Leo's first acts as Emperor was to rebury his putative father with a great ceremony in the Imperial Mausoleum in Constantinople, having previously been buried at a monastery on the other side of the Bosphorus.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: The Golden City