The Byzantine Empire was ruled by the Isaurian dynasty from 717 to 802. The Isaurian emperors were successful in defending and consolidating the empire against the caliphates after the onslaught of th
Gold solidus of Leo III showing his son and heir, Constantine V
Folio from the 9th century iconophile Chludov Psalter, likening the iconoclasts, shown painting over an image of Christ, with the soldiers who crucified him
Gold solidus showing Irene alongside her son Constantine VI
Constantine VI
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Constantine VI, sometimes called the Blind, was Byzantine emperor from 780 to 797. The only child of Emperor Leo IV, Constantine was named co-emperor with him at the age of five in 776 and succeeded h
Leo III, Constantine V and Leo IV (left), with Constantine VI and Irene (right)
Depiction of the Second Council of Nicaea from the Menologion of Basil II, c. 1000
The 2nd Council of Nicaea depicted in a Bulgarian miniature of the 12th century Manasses Chronicle