Artabasdos

706 – ? · Generation XVI · usurper (r. 741–743)

Artabasdos (b. AD null). usurper (r. 741–743). Married Anna around AD 717. Married Anna, daughter of Leo III; blinded after defeat. A general of Armenian descent, he governed the Armeniac Theme from about 713 and joined Leo of the Anatolic Theme in the pact that brought down Theodosius III — an alliance sealed by his betrothal to Leo's daughter. Rewarded with the rank of kouropalates and command of the Opsikion, he turned on Leo's son Constantine V in June 741, attacking him as he crossed Asia Minor and seizing Constantinople amid popular support. Later chroniclers credit him with permitting the cult of images once more, though contemporary evidence for it is slight. His offensive against Constantine failed in May 743, and when the capital fell that November he fled to the castle of Pouzanes, was captured, and was relegated with his sons to the Chora Monastery.

Partners

Married Anna (680 – ?) in 717 — one child together

Children

Nikephoros (706 – ?)

Life

706 — Born
717 — Married Anna