Status Updates From Byzantium: The Early Centuries

Constans left 3 sons to squabble over the throne, Heraclius, Tiberius, and Constantine. Following the death of their father, factions throughout the city demanded that they should each rule over the empire of earth as the Trinity rules from heaven. However, plans would change in 681 when Constantine IV, looking for his son, Justinian II to inherit the throne, mutilated his brothers noses, had them deposed and exiled.

Constans II tenure in Italy was marked by glamorous moments and also times when the native populace was harassed by his goverment. Intially his court was welcomed into Sicily where for the first time since Sextus Pompey, a Roman ruled from Syracuse. However, while the welcome was warm, the next few years would change as his tax collectors often meddled with the populace. In 668, while taking a bath, Constans fell

The siege of Benevento had failed so Constans had no choice but to head towards Nepolis. It was at this time the emperor made a detour and routed instead for the Eternal City where he and his court were welcome by the residing Pope Vitalien. For the next tweleve days, he attended and spent time in the cities great churches; to the effect of striping the cities its valuables and sending it to Constantinople

It wouldn't be until spring 663 that Constans' and his court would cross the Adriatic and into Italy at their base in Tarentum. The Lombards who controlled much of the North had already begun harassing the emperors baggage trains. Preparations to besiege Benevento were under way which served as a choke point towards the Roman city of Nepolis, however the siege would fail when (Sesuald) warned the locals of an attack.

Up to this point Constans was extremely unpopular, having both inhumanly altered the lives of Pope Martin and Maximus. So when in 662 when he left Constantinople the populace seemed to have little care about his departure feeling he was only going to demontrate his power in the Western provinces from Saracen and Lombard sway. Before reaching Italy however he would spend a number of years in Thessalonica and Athens...

The empire in the this time was facing crisis on all fronts. With the Saracens closing in on the east with great speed, and the Slavs growing restless of the tribute being paid to the empire. The emperor looked for a new base to control affairs both east and west more suitable than Constantinople. His uncle Heraclius had already contemplated this juncture when the Persians were at the gates...

"Like Martin, Maximus the Confessor had been the spiritual leader of opposition to the Ekthesis and Typos. Indeed he had gone even further, maintaing the emperor as a layman had no rght to pronounce on theological matters. Maximus would be subjected to tortures for his defiance and considered the forerunner of the medieval church fathers to uphold the claims of the church against the state in the centuries to come."

Buena redacción de la editorial, buena traducción de lo que se ve en el prólogo, excelente libro de cumpleaños. Vamos bien.