v49_0974 - COSTANTINO IV, ERACLIO e TIBERIO Solidus

CONSTANTINE IV, HERACLIUS and TIBERIUS

(07/15/668-autumn 681)

Associated to the throne from 659 by their father Constans II, Heraclius and Tiberius were deposed by their brother, Constantin IV, who succeeded his father in 668 after the latter's assassination. He immediately had to face the Islamic thrust. Constantinople was threatened and besieged for four years. For the first time in poliorcetics, Greek fire was used to repel the besiegers. The Islamic fleet suffered heavy losses and the city was saved. Constantin IV also had to fight against Bulgarian interference in the Balkans where the Byzantines were finally beaten and had to abandon Moesia to their conquerors. He reigned alone the last four years of his life and left the empire to Justinian II in 685.