Matthew’s Reviews > Byzantium: The Early Centuries > Status Update
Matthew
is on page 340 of 408
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.
— Sep 28, 2026 12:08PM
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Matthew
is on page 340 of 408
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
— Sep 28, 2026 11:01AM
Matthew
is on page 339 of 408
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
— Sep 28, 2026 10:47AM
Matthew
is on page 339 of 408
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.
— Sep 28, 2026 10:40AM
Matthew
is on page 339 of 408
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...
— Sep 28, 2026 10:29AM
Matthew
is on page 338 of 408
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...
— Sep 25, 2026 01:17PM
Matthew
is on page 338 of 408
"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."
— Sep 25, 2026 01:08PM
Matthew
is on page 338 of 408
As territories in the eastern provinces were becoming more and more in jeopardy by the saracen menace. Constans II began to turn his attention westward in hopes of establishing an imperial presence in Italy. In 663, he became the first emperor to visit Italy since the dissolution of the Western Roman Empire two hundred years before.
— Jan 25, 2026 04:44PM
Matthew
is on page 337 of 408
an iron chain was wrapped around his neck where he was paraded through the Praetorium(imperial prison). The Patriarch Paul insistently sought that Martin should face no further ill-treatment. The emperor accepted this changing the sentencing from death to banishment. Pope Martin would be exiled to Cherson in Crimea were he would die in 655
— Jan 25, 2026 04:33PM
Matthew
is on page 336 of 408
The religious dispute monthelitism would persist at this time. Constans at only seventeen would publish his Typos, which aimed to provide context to this idea, begun by his uncle Heraclius. Pope Martin I would stand up to this edict which led to his eventual kidnapping and brutal torture. He would be trialed and sentenced to death; standing before a dense audience, is papal robes were torn leaving him exposed...
— Jan 25, 2026 04:32PM
Matthew
is on page 331 of 408
In 642, the eleven year old Constans II became the sole ruler of the Roman Empire, addressing the senate to handle the care of the empire effectively acting as a regency until he became of age. During his reign, Alexandria would fall with its population welcoming the conquerors openly. Constantia(Salamis) would fall and too Rhodes, which the enormous bronze fragments of the colossus would be melted for scrap.
— Jan 25, 2026 04:08PM