Antonio Rigo

Leo Tuscus, born in Pisa in the early to mid-12th century, served as a Latin-Greek interpreter within the Byzantine imperial chancery under Emperor Manuel Komnenos. Arriving in Constantinople around 1160, likely with his brother Hugo Etherianus, Leo became an official translator and interpreter, holding titles such as 'translator of the imperial court.' He participated in Emperor Manuel's military campaign against the Sultanate of Rum, which ended in defeat at the Battle of Myriokephalon. Leo also intervened to secure his brother's release from imprisonment. His intellectual contributions include translating Achmet's treatise on dream interpretation, which gained significant circulation, and writing a work on the heresies and errors of the Greek church. He also translated the liturgy of John Chrysostom. Leo survived the 1182 Massacre of the Latins, and his later life and death remain undocumented.

Leo Tuscus, born in Pisa in the first half of the 12th century, was a significant figure in the Byzantine Empire's intellectual and administrative circles. He served as a Latin-Greek interpreter in the imperial chancery during the reign of Emperor Manuel Komnenos. Arriving in Constantinople around 1160, Leo held official positions such as 'translator of the imperial court' and 'translator of imperial letters.' His duties extended to accompanying the emperor on military expeditions, including the campaign against the Sultanate of Rum that culminated in the Battle of Myriokephalon. Leo also demonstrated personal influence by intervening to free his brother from tax collectors.

Leo Tuscus is recognized for his translation of Achmet's Oneirocriticon, a treatise on dream interpretation, which he completed in 1176 with the help of his nephew Fabrizio. This translation became widely disseminated in manuscript form and was later printed in Italian and French. His engagement with esoteric subjects aligns with other Westerners in Constantinople at the time who explored similar themes. Leo's work on oneiromancy reflects a broader interest in occult and mystical knowledge circulating between East and West.

In the late 1170s, Leo authored a treatise titled 'De haeresibus et praevaricationibus Graecorum' (On the Heresies and Prevarications of the Greeks). This work addressed theological differences between the Greek and Latin churches, with its first part detailing perceived errors of the Greek church and its second part outlining reasons for the East-West Schism. These sections were later utilized by Dominican scholars. Leo also translated the liturgy of John Chrysostom at the request of an Aragonese ambassador. He was present during the 1182 Massacre of the Latins and received news of his brother's death via a papal letter in late 1182 or early 1183. His ultimate fate is unknown.