Matthew Schramkowski’s Reviews > Byzantium: The Early Centuries > Status Update

The Bulgars, a turkic tribe from the Rivers Don and Volga suffered Constantines forces a severe humilation after a failed expedition in 680 prompted the tribe to facilitate deeper into Roman territory. What started as a routine disembarking of troops turned into a humilation. With Constantine apparently suffering a case of Gout, his forces reacted to this as him fleeing from battle, allowing the Bulgars cut down strg

Constantine was praised from his adversaries all throughout the West. The Lombards, Avars, and even Bulgars would send congratulatory wishes, this wouldnt change the fact they were still enemies...

The reign of Constantine IV would mark a period of transition. Since the early sixth century, the Arabs had harassed the Romans and in many instances came close to breaking the empires back. However, Constantine would hold them on the straits of the Bosphorus for nearly six years exhausting the willpower of the Saracens. They would turn back and for the first time, sought conquests elsewhere...

The arabs for a brief time were in transition and the founding of the Uyymaid Caliphate occurs. The origins off Greek fire, invention by the chemist Callinicus are mentioned here. A siege by Muaywias forces on Constantinople lasts seven years before peace is settled and the arabs return home.Problems with the the Bulgars had begun and would continue as they officially settle along the Danube. A sixth council was held

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...