# Emperor Leo — The Secret History character guide

> Emperor Leo in The Secret History by Procopius.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Leo

**First appearance:** 0002-the-secret-history

## Who they are

Previous emperor, father-in-law of Zeno.

## In the story

### [Ignorance of the Emperor Justin, and His Stencilled Signature, and How His Nephew Justinian Was the Virtual Ruler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/vi-ignorance-of-the-emperor-justin-and-his-stencilled-signature-and-how-his-nephew-justinian-was-the-virtual-ruler)

Emperor during the time when Justin and his fellow farmers first joined the army.

### [XIV: Justice for Sale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xiv-justice-for-sale)

Introduced as the Cilician flatterer who first taught Justinian to sell judicial decisions for money.

### [XXIX: Other Incidents Revealing Him as a Liar and a Hypocrite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/chapters/xxix-other-incidents-revealing-him-as-a-liar-and-a-hypocrite)

Referendar whose son-in-law Malthanes caused turmoil in Tarsus; bribed Justinian to stop the inquiry.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/characters/emperor_leo
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_history_se/characters