John the Hunchback or John Gibbo was a general and a politician of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Biography

John was a native of Selymbria, modern Silivri

Silivri

Silivri is a city and a district in Istanbul Province along the Sea of Marmara in Turkey, outside of metropolitan Istanbul, containing many holiday and weekend homes for residents of the city. The largest city in the district is also named Silivri...

 in Turkey

Turkey

Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...

.

Between 492 and 499 was magister militum praesentalis. In this capacity he was one of two generals of Emperor Anastasius I

Anastasius I (emperor)

Anastasius I was Byzantine Emperor from 491 to 518. During his reign the Roman eastern frontier underwent extensive re-fortification, including the construction of Dara, a stronghold intended to counter the Persian fortress of Nisibis....

 (r. 491–518) in the Isaurian War

Isaurian War

The Isaurian War was a conflict that lasted from 492 to 497 and that was fought between the army of the Eastern Roman Empire and the rebels of Isauria. At the end of the war, Eastern Emperor Anastasius I regained the control of the Isauria region and the leaders of the revolt were killed.-...

 of 492–497, along with John the Scythian

John the Scythian

John the Scythian was a general and a politician of the Eastern Roman Empire who fought against the usurper Leontius and in the Isaurian War .- Biography :John was an officer of the East Roman army...

. In 492 he was one of the commanders of the Roman army at the Battle of Cotyaeum

Battle of Cotyaeum

The Battle of Cotyaeum of 492 was fought in Phrygia Epictetus between the rebel Isaurian army led by Longinus of Cardala and the Eastern Roman army of Emperor Anastasius led by John the Scythian and John the Hunchback .The rebel forces were...

, while the following year he won an overwhelming victory against the Isaurians, after having freed the army of Diogenianus at Claudiopolis

Claudiopolis (Cappadocia)

Claudiopolis was an ancient city of Cappadocia mentioned by Pliny . From its name one can adduce that it was named for Roman emperor Claudius....

. In 498, the year after the victory over the Isaurians, it was John who captured the last enemy leaders, Longinus of Selinus

Longinus of Selinus

Longinus of Selinus was one of the Isaurian leaders in the Isaurian War of 492–497.- Biography :The Isaurian War started as a revolt of the Isaurians against the Empire after the emperor of Isaurian origin Zeno had died and had been succeeded not by his brother, the Isaurian Longinus but by the...

 and Indes, and send them to the Emperor.

Anastasius was very pleased with the victory in the war, and amply rewarded his victorious generals: John held the consulate

Roman consul

A consul served in the highest elected political office of the Roman Republic.Each year, two consuls were elected together, to serve for a one-year term. Each consul was given veto power over his colleague and the officials would alternate each month...

 sine collegis in 499.

According to a story passed down by Procopius of Caesarea (Anecdotes, VI.5-9), John sentenced the officer Justin

Justin I

Justin I was Byzantine Emperor from 518 to 527. He rose through the ranks of the army and ultimately became its Emperor, in spite of the fact he was illiterate and almost 70 years old at the time of accession...

to death during the Isaurian War, but after a dream, he decided to spare his life. After the death of Anastasius, Justin ascended the throne and ruled until his death in 527.