Leon Gabras

Summary
Leon I, more commonly referred to as Gabras, Leon Soter, or Leon the Great, was the founder of the Kingdom of Asia Minor. Of Chaldian descent, Leon grew up on a family estate near Thessaloniki, as many Gabras' had fled their homeland during the Seljuk invasion. Entering military service from a young age, Leon showed a great aptitude for leadership and strategy, much to the admiration and envy of his superiors.

Following a series of stunning victories against the Bulgarians, Gabras was banished to Anatolia on false charges. When he then defeated a Turkish invasion and reclaimed land for the empire, the imperial court charged him with treason. Rising up in rebellion, Gabras would quickly come to consolidate his authority over much of former Byzantine Anatolia, establishing the de facto Kingdom of Asia Minor with himself as Basileus.

Early Career
Throughout his career in the Byzantine army, Gabras scored a plethora of victories that saw the people's adoration and respect turn towards him. Leon Gabras' most notable victory in service of the Basileus occurred when he intercepted a large Bulgarian invasion force approaching Macedonia. Though greatly undermanned and unpaid for several weeks, Leon's forces decisively crushed and routed the Bulgarians in the field, allowing time for the provincial lords to muster their forces.

Despite a stellar record and his reputation as the saviour of Byzantium, which earnt the general his epithet of Soter, the court in Constantinople unceremoniously exiled Gabras to Asia Minor. Upon stabilising the frontiers against the Turks, and requesting more forces to hold Byzantium's gains, Leon Gabras was charged with treason and ordered to disband his forces, then return to the capital for trial. Instead, Gabras and his forces rebelled against the Basileus, with most lands east of the Hellespont declaring loyalty to the people's megas strategos.