Leo III

685 – 741 · Generation XV · Emperor (r. 717–741) · Isaurian

Leo (AD 685 – 741). Emperor (r. 717–741). Founder of Isaurian dynasty; iconoclast. Born Konon at Germanikeia on the Syrian frontier – a native Arabic speaker, and by most modern reckonings no Isaurian at all – he survived a stranded diplomatic mission to the Caucasus under Justinian II and rose to command the Anatolic Theme. In 717 he marched on Constantinople, forced Theodosius III to abdicate into a monastery, and took the crown only months before the Umayyads brought an army reckoned at 80,000 men or more, with a massive fleet, against the city. Aided by careful preparations, Greek fire, and Bulgarian attacks on the besiegers, he outlasted the twelve-month siege, ending the Twenty Years’ Anarchy and the long run of seventh-century defeats. He then set about reorganising an administration wrecked by years of chaos, suppressing a rebellion in Sicily and the comeback attempt of the deposed Anastasius II.

One of 6 people of Isaurian (680–803) in this archive. The iconoclast emperors, who held Constantinople through its longest siege.

Children

Anna (680 – ?)
Constantine V (718 – 775)