Leo Tornikos, a nephew of Emperor Constantine IX, was born in Adrianople, the scion of the noted noble Armenian/Georgian family of Tornikios, and named patrikios and commander (doux) of Melitene (according to Michael Attaleiates) or Iberia (according to Michael Psellos).

Although favored by Constantine, Tornikios is crafty and ambitious according to Psellos, and had become a devotee of the Emperor's sister Euprepia, who opposes the Emperor's policies.

During Leo's tenure in the East, however, a revolt breaks out in Macedonia by some of his supporters.

Tornikios is swiftly recalled to Constantinople, where he is tonsured but otherwise allowed considerable personal liberty.

Taking advantage of this, he flees the capital to Adrianople on September 14, 1047.

Here he gathers his supporters and a number of disgruntled generals and raises them in revolt against Emperor Constantine's misgovernment.

Proclaiming himself emperor, he marches against the capital with his forces and sets up his camp opposite the Walls of Constantinople on September 25, 1047, easily defeating an ad hoc force of armed citizens who sally out to meet him.

This victory spreads panic to the capital's defenders, who momentarily abandon their posts on the walls and their gates.

Tornikios, however, hesitates, and loses the opportunity to take the city, for that night, Emperor Constantine manages to restore order and reoccupy the walls, awaiting the arrival of the Anatolian army.

The siege lasts four days, from September 25 until September 28.

Two assaults of Tornikios's men on the walls sre turned back by the defenders under the personal leadership of Emperor Constantine, who, despite suffering from gout and having no military experience, shows courage and energy in this extremity.

Following the failure of his assaults, Tornikios is forced to withdraw westwards.

Hoping to retrieve the situation, he attacks Rhaidestos, but is again repulsed.

At this point, his followers start to abandon him.

He finds refuge in a church at Boulgarophygon, but is lured out of it and captured.

On Christmas 1047, at Constantinople, he is blinded along with a certain John Vatatzes, his principal supporter.

Nothing is thereafter known about him.