v50_0095 - CONSTANTINE V Solidus

CONSTANTINE V

(06/18/741 - 09/14/775)

Constantine V succeeded Leo III. He had been associated with the power of his father since March 25, 720. At the beginning of his reign, Constantine V had to face the revolt of Artavasdus (July 742 - November 2, 743). Constantine V crushed his adversary near Sardis and retook Constantinople where he had the usurper blinded in the Hippodrome. During the reign of Constantine V, Ravenna fell into the hands of the Lombards. At the same time, the Byzantines lost much of their authority over the papacy and Italy in general. That same year, Pepin the Short became king of the Franks and inaugurated a new dynasty, the Carolingians. In the East, Constantine won considerable victories over Islam and celebrated a triumph at Constantinople in 763. Iconoclast like his father Leo III, he fought the pope, the iconodules and the Greek monastic movements who opposed his religious policy..