Solidus of Leo IV. That’s Leo on the left with his son Constantine next to him (no beard). On the reverse are Leo III and Constantine V (from Dumbarton Oaks collection)

Leo IV begins his reign promisingly before dying at the age of 30. He would be replaced in power by his wife Irene. We look at the rituals an Empress would be forced to go through to be accepted into the Palace to try and gain an insight into Irene’s position as regent.

Period: 775-780

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The interior of the Hagia Eirene restored by Constantine V (Wikipedia)

Constantine V faces a conspiracy against his throne and his response is violent. He continues to rebuild his capital and campaign against the Bulgars. Yet despite all his success he was remembered as the Dung named.

Period: 765-775

Download: The Dung Named

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The Balkan Mountains today (from maudestandard.wordpress.com)

Constantine V gathers an Ecumenical Council to gain acceptance for his views on the place of icons. He also goes to war with the Bulgar Khanate. We close by discussing his personal life and the capture of Ravenna by the Lombards.

Period: 755-765

Download: The Headless Council

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Constantine V by Plamen Vulchev (from ‘Rulers of the Byzantine Empire’ published by KIBEA)

Constantine V (From the Modena manuscript, Chronicle of John Zonaras)

Constantine V (Dumbarton Oaks coin collection)

Constantine V becomes Emperor but is immediately forced into a two year civil war. Once back in power we follow his reorganisation of the army and military planning in the face of the Caliphate’s own internal struggles.

Period: 741-755

Download: The Quest for Legitimacy

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The city of Afyonkarahisar in Turkey. This is the site of Akroinon where Leo won his victory in 740.

We look at Leo’s second decade in power. First tracing the military and political developments and then going back to look at the development of Iconoclasm.

Period: 730-741

Download: Leo’s Reign in the 730s

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The Miliaresion of Leo III and Constantine V (Wikipedia)

We look at Leo’s first decade in power. First tracing the military and political developments and then going back to look at domestic policies.

Period: 718-729

Download: Leo’s Reign in the 720s

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A Byzantine Icon depicting the Crucifixion, Birth and Resurrection (cytanet.com.cy)

Mosaic of St Demetrios with donors from the church of Hagios Demetrios in Thessalonia (Wikipedia)

We take a look at the whole period of Iconoclasm as an introduction to this era.

Period: 718-843

Download: Iconoclasm

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