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Justinian II (668-711), later known as Justinian the Slit-Nosed, was the eldest son of Emperor Constantine IV, and became joint emperor in 681. He later succeeded his father as sole emperor in 685, aged sixteen. Justinian was ambitious and passionate, wishing to restore the emperor to former glories and past successes.<br/><br/> However, Justinian's lack of finesse and his poor attitude towards any opposition to his will led to resistance throughout his reign. He was eventually deposed in a popular uprising led by Leontios in 695, who proclaimed himself emperor and exiled Justinian after having his nose cut off. Justinian soon began plotting his return from exile in Crimea, gathering supporters to him. Justinian eventually regained the throne in 705 from usurper emperor Tiberios, having both Tiberios and the imprisoned Leontios dragged out in public and executing them.<br/><br/> His second reign was even more contentious, marked by his turning on those who had helped him reclaim the throne. Another uprising eventually occurred, led by the exiled General Bardanes. Justinian, who had been on his way to Armenia, attempted to once more rouse support for his claim, but he was arrested and executed in 711 instead, ending the Heraclian dynasty.
Constans II (630-668), also called Constantine the Bearded, was emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 641 to 668. He was the last emperor to serve as consul, in 642. Under his reign, the Byzantine Empire completely withdrew from Egypt, losing territory to the Arab Caliphate. He became the first emperor to set foot in Rome for two centuries, stripping the city of ornaments and bronze to be brought back to Constantinople.<br/><br/> Constans was assassinated in his bath by his chamberlain in 668. He was succeeded by his son, Constantine IV (652-685), also known as Constantine the Bearded. His rule saw the first serious check to nearly 50 years of uninterrupted Islamic expansion. During the Siege of Constantinople (674-678), he ordered the first known use of Greek fire in combat, ensuring that the siege failed. He also fixed the Church divide with the Sixth Ecumenical Council. He eventually died of dystentry in 685.
Constantine III (612-641), birth name Heraclius Novus Constantinus, was the eldest son of Emperor Heraclius by his first wife Eudokia. He was named co-emperor in 613, and soon betrothed to his second cousin Gregoia, who he eventually married in early 630, the same year their first child, Constans II, was born.<br/><br/> Constantine became senior emperor in 641 after his father's death, and ruled alongside his younger half-brother, Heraklonas (626-641), son of Heraclius' second wife Martina. Constantine died from tuberculosis four months after his accession, but he had worked with his advisors and the army to ensure that his son Constans would succeed him as co-emperor.<br/><br/> Heraklonas, who officially reigned under the name Flavius Constantinus Heraclius, was forced to accept his young nephew as joint emperor after a revolt by the general Valentinus, a friend and associate of Constantine's. Valentinus spread rumours that Heraklonas and his mother were planning to eliminate Constans and his supporters, leading to a revolt that toppled Heraklonas and led to the mutilation and banishment of Heraklonas, his mother and his brothers. Heraklonas is presumed to have died the same year, exiled in Rhodes.
Heraclius (575-641) was son of Heraclius the Elder, exarch of Africa, who led a revolt against the usurper emperor Phocas, deposing him in 610. Heraclius became emperor and was immediately forced to deal with multiple threats on many frontiers.<br/><br/> One of the main frontiers was the Byzantine-Sassanid War of 602-628 against King Khosrau II and the Sassanid Empire. The Sassanids managed to fight all the way to the walls of Constantinople before failing to penetrate them, allowing Heraclius to counter-attack and drive them all the way back to the capital of Ctesiphon. Khosrau was executed by his son Kavadh II, and a peace treaty was agreed to. The Sassanid Empire soon fell to the Muslim conquests, another threat Heraclius had to deal with.<br/><br/> Heraclius was credited for making Greek the Byzantine Empire's official language, as well as for his enlarging of the empire and his reorganisation of government and military. Though his attempts at religious harmony failed, he was successful in returning the True Cross to Jerusalem.
Heraclius (575-641) was son of Heraclius the Elder, exarch of Africa, who led a revolt against the usurper emperor Phocas, deposing him in 610. Heraclius became emperor and was immediately forced to deal with multiple threats on many frontiers.<br/><br/> One of the main frontiers was the Byzantine-Sassanid War of 602-628 against King Khosrau II and the Sassanid Empire. The Sassanids managed to fight all the way to the walls of Constantinople before failing to penetrate them, allowing Heraclius to counter-attack and drive them all the way back to the capital of Ctesiphon. Khosrau was executed by his son Kavadh II, and a peace treaty was agreed to. The Sassanid Empire soon fell to the Muslim conquests, another threat Heraclius had to deal with.<br/><br/> Heraclius was credited for making Greek the Byzantine Empire's official language, as well as for his enlarging of the empire and his reorganisation of government and military. Though his attempts at religious harmony failed, he was successful in returning the True Cross to Jerusalem.
Justinian II (668-711), later known as Justinian the Slit-Nosed, was the eldest son of Emperor Constantine IV, and became joint emperor in 681. He later succeeded his father as sole emperor in 685, aged sixteen. Justinian was ambitious and passionate, wishing to restore the emperor to former glories and past successes.<br/><br/> However, Justinian's lack of finesse and his poor attitude towards any opposition to his will led to resistance throughout his reign. He was eventually deposed in a popular uprising led by Leontios in 695, who proclaimed himself emperor and exiled Justinian after having his nose cut off. Justinian soon began plotting his return from exile in Crimea, gathering supporters to him. Justinian eventually regained the throne in 705 from usurper emperor Tiberios, having both Tiberios and the imprisoned Leontios dragged out in public and executing them.<br/><br/> His second reign was even more contentious, marked by his turning on those who had helped him reclaim the throne. Another uprising eventually occurred, led by the exiled General Bardanes. Justinian, who had been on his way to Armenia, attempted to once more rouse support for his claim, but he was arrested and executed in 711 instead, ending the Heraclian dynasty.
Heraclius (575-641) was son of Heraclius the Elder, exarch of Africa, who led a revolt against the usurper emperor Phocas, deposing him in 610. Heraclius became emperor and was immediately forced to deal with multiple threats on many frontiers.<br/><br/> One of the main frontiers was the Byzantine-Sassanid War of 602-628 against King Khosrau II and the Sassanid Empire. The Sassanids managed to fight all the way to the walls of Constantinople before failing to penetrate them, allowing Heraclius to counter-attack and drive them all the way back to the Sassanid capital of Ctesiphon. Khosrau was executed by his son Kavadh II, and a peace treaty was agreed. The Sassanid Empire soon fell to the Muslim conquests, another threat Heraclius had to deal with.<br/><br/> Heraclius was credited for making Greek the Byzantine Empire's official language, as well as for his enlarging of the empire and his reorganisation of government and military. Though his attempts at religious harmony failed, he was successful in returning the True Cross to Jerusalem.
Heraclius (575-641) was son of Heraclius the Elder, exarch of Africa, who led a revolt against the usurper emperor Phocas, deposing him in 610. Heraclius became emperor and was immediately forced to deal with multiple threats on many frontiers.<br/><br/> One of the main frontiers was the Byzantine-Sassanid War of 602-628 against King Khosrau II and the Sassanid Empire. The Sassanids managed to fight all the way to the walls of Constantinople before failing to penetrate them, allowing Heraclius to counter-attack and drive them all the way back to the Sassanid capital of Ctesiphon. Khosrau was executed by his son Kavadh II, and a peace treaty was agreed. The Sassanid Empire soon fell to the Muslim conquests, another threat Heraclius had to deal with.<br/><br/> Heraclius was credited for making Greek the Byzantine Empire's official language, as well as for his enlarging of the empire and his reorganisation of government and military. Though his attempts at religious harmony failed, he was successful in returning the True Cross to Jerusalem.
Heraclius (575-641) was son of Heraclius the Elder, exarch of Africa, who led a revolt against the usurper emperor Phocas, deposing him in 610. Heraclius became emperor and was immediately forced to deal with multiple threats on many frontiers.<br/><br/> One of the main frontiers was the Byzantine-Sassanid War of 602-628 against King Khosrau II and the Sassanid Empire. The Sassanids managed to fight all the way to the walls of Constantinople before failing to penetrate them, allowing Heraclius to counter-attack and drive them all the way back to the capital of Ctesiphon. Khosrau was executed by his son Kavadh II, and a peace treaty was agreed to. The Sassanid Empire soon fell to the Muslim conquests, another threat Heraclius had to deal with.<br/><br/> Heraclius was credited for making Greek the Byzantine Empire's official language, as well as for his enlarging of the empire and his reorganisation of government and military. Though his attempts at religious harmony failed, he was successful in returning the True Cross to Jerusalem.