in History, having dethroned Leon-tius, cut off his nose and ears, and shut him up in a monastery, was proclaimed by the soldiers emperor of the East, A.D. 698. Leontius himself was also an usurper. He had dethroned Justinian II. who, afterwards, with the assistance of the Bulgarians, surprised and took Constantinople and made Absimarus prisoner. Justinian, now settled on the throne, and having both Absimarus and Leontius in his power, loaded them with chains, ordered them to lie down on the ground, and with a barbarous pleasure, held a foot on the neck of each for the space of an hour in presence of the people, who with shouts and exclamations sung, Super aspi- Absimarus dem et basilicum ambulabis, et conculcabis leonem et draconem. "Thou shalt walk on the asp and the basilisk, and tread on the lion and the dragon." By the orders of Justinian, Absimarus and Leontius were beheaded, A.D. 705.