Anastasius II

Anastasius II (Greek: Ἀναστάσιος Β΄; died 719), originally named Artemios (Ἀρτέμιος), was the Byzantine emperor from 713 to 715. A capable civil servant who ascended to the throne following the overthrow of his predecessor, his brief reign was characterized by efforts to restore military discipline, reverse heretical religious policies, and fortify the empire against the impending and massive Arab siege of Constantinople, though he was ultimately deposed by a military rebellion and later executed after a failed attempt to reclaim the throne.

Background and Rise to Power

Before his elevation to the imperial throne, Artemios served as a high-ranking bureaucrat in the Byzantine administration. He is believed to have held the position of asekretis (imperial secretary) under Emperor Philippikos Bardanes. During this period, the Byzantine Empire was suffering from severe internal instability and external threats, particularly from the expanding Umayyad Caliphate.

In June 713, Philippikos Bardanes was overthrown in a military coup orchestrated by the troops of the Opsikion theme. The mutinous soldiers blinded Philippikos and subsequently proclaimed Artemios as the new emperor. Upon his coronation, he adopted the regnal name Anastasius II, likely to evoke the memory of Anastasius I, a highly regarded 5th-century emperor known for his administrative competence and financial prudence. To establish his authority and deter future insurrections, Anastasius II swiftly punished the ringleaders of the coup that had brought him to power, executing several of the mutineers.

Religious and Domestic Policies

Anastasius II immediately set about reversing the religious policies of his predecessor. Philippikos had been a staunch supporter of Monothelitism, a doctrine deemed heretical by the mainstream Church, and had repudiated the rulings of the Sixth Ecumenical Council (680–681). Anastasius II restored Orthodox doctrine, reaffirming the decisions of the Sixth Ecumenical Council and removing the Monothelite imagery that Philippikos had installed in the Great Palace of Constantinople.

His return to religious orthodoxy helped to mend the strained relations between the Byzantine Empire and the Papacy. Pope Constantine, who had refused to recognize Philippikos, warmly received the envoys of Anastasius II, thereby restoring ecclesiastical harmony between Rome and Constantinople. Domestically, Anastasius focused on reorganizing the imperial administration and replenishing the state treasury, which had been depleted by years of civil strife and military neglect.

Military Preparations and the Arab Threat

The most significant challenge of Anastasius II's reign was the existential threat posed by the Umayyad Caliphate. Recognizing that the Arabs were preparing for a massive, coordinated assault on the Byzantine capital, Anastasius initiated a comprehensive program of military and defensive preparations. He ordered the repair and strengthening of the Walls of Constantinople and mandated that all households in the city stockpile enough food to last for three years. Those who could not afford to do so were ordered to evacuate the capital to reduce the strain on resources during a potential siege.

Anastasius also undertook a major reorganization of the Byzantine navy. In 715, he dispatched a diplomatic mission to Damascus, ostensibly to negotiate a peace treaty, but primarily to gather intelligence on the Caliphate's military intentions. The envoys returned with alarming reports that the new Caliph, Sulayman, was assembling a massive fleet and army to conquer Constantinople. In response, Anastasius ordered a preemptive naval strike against the Arab fleet gathering in the shipyards of Phoenicia.

Deposition and Death

While the Byzantine fleet was assembling at the island of Rhodes to launch the preemptive strike against the Arabs, the troops of the Opsikion theme mutinied once again. They murdered their commander, John the Deacon, and proclaimed a relatively obscure tax collector named Theodosius as emperor (Theodosius III). The rebel fleet sailed toward Constantinople, capturing the city after a six-month siege in November 715.

Anastasius II, who had been in the capital, fled to Nicaea in Bithynia to rally loyalist forces. However, after several months of resistance and facing the prospect of a prolonged civil war while the Arabs were advancing, Anastasius agreed to abdicate in 716. In exchange for his life, he was tonsured as a monk and exiled to a monastery in Thessalonica.

Anastasius did not remain in retirement for long. In 718 or 719, taking advantage of the chaos caused by the ongoing Arab siege of Constantinople and the recent ascension of Emperor Leo III, Anastasius attempted to reclaim the throne. He secured the military backing of Tervel, the Khan of the Bulgarians, and marched toward the capital. However, the plot ultimately failed. Whether through betrayal by Tervel or a lack of support within the city, Anastasius was captured by Leo III's forces. To eliminate any future dynastic threats, Leo III ordered the execution of the former emperor, and Anastasius II was beheaded in 719.

Legacy

Historically, Anastasius II has often been overshadowed by his successor, Leo III, who successfully repelled the Arab siege of Constantinople (717–718) and is credited with saving the Byzantine Empire. However, modern historians recognize that the survival of the empire was largely due to the foresight and rigorous preparations initiated by Anastasius II. His efforts to repair the city's defenses, stockpile provisions, and rebuild the navy provided the crucial foundation that allowed Constantinople to withstand the devastating Umayyad assault. Despite his tragic end, his brief reign was marked by administrative competence and a clear strategic vision in the face of overwhelming external threats.