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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Zombies of Byzantium by Sean Munger

An interview with author Sean Munger about his book “Zombies of Byzantium.” The novel is set during the Siege of 717-18 and sees an outbreak of the undead just as Maslama and Leo battle in Constantinople.

Sean is also the man behind the Cry for Byzantium Twitter Feed. There he tells the history of the Byzantine Empire one tweet at a time.

Download: Zombies of Byzantium

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Greek Fire as depicted in the Madrid Skylitzes

Tervel leads the Bulgars on an attack on the Arabs by Vasil Goranov

Maslama puts Constantinople under siege. The Romans look to the heavens for a sign that God still favours them.

Period: 717-718

Download: Lost to the West

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Leo III (from ‘Rulers of the Byzantine Empire’ published by KIBEA)

A solidus of Leo III (from the Dumbarton Oaks collection)

We trace the origins of Leo III from his family’s relocation to Thrace, his service in the Caucasus through to his interaction with the invading Arabs.

Period: 705-716

Download: Leo III

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Emperors 4, 5 and 6 from the Dumbarton Oaks Coin Collection

Justinian II tries to return to vigorous action but things quickly fall apart. The Arabs advance in the east and a rebellion in Cherson blows up. We meet our fourth, fifth and sixth Emperors.

Period: 705-715

Download: The Tightening Noose

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