John, also known as John the Ostrich because of his long neck, was an odd person who caught Justinian II's eye during the outfitting of an expedition to destroy the Black Sea port of Kherson in the 710s CE. Waving his sword at the air and day-dreaming of the death, destruction and mayhem he was going to inflict, he was startled by the emperor's appearance, but gladly affirmed his desire to wreak havoc and Justinian's request that he followed his command to kill everyone.