After a long, bloody, and betrayal-ridden civil war (ree @ /u/_TheGreaterGood), Caesar Flavius Valerius Leo Secundus found himself driven from his previous temporary capital in Korinthos, to new temporary capital in Alexandria. As Leo II began to plot and scheme new ways to regain his rightful throne, he also began to realize the improbability of any of those plans actually succeeding, given the greater wealth, military manpower, and support of the Empire's senior aristocracy possessed by his rival, Basiliscus.

As a staunch Eastern Roman patriot, Leo II also worried about how the current twin invasions by the Persians and the Ostrogoths may be inadvertently aided by any attempts he made to regain his throne. So, Leo II penned a letter to Baliliscus and his court: he offered to renounce his claim to the throne in Constantinople and officially swear fealty to Basiliscus, in exchange for him being recognized as the lawful and autonomous governor of Egypt, and for all of the excommunications and death threats and such against him and his family being called off.

As he awaited a reply, Leo II beckoned his servants for his litter, on which he would spend the rest of the day eating fresh grapes and enjoying a relaxing, scenic tour of his new tropical, waterfront capital.