ANASTASIA II

Anastasius II - Byzantine emperor in 713 - 716 years. + 719 g.
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Anastasius, who was called before Artemije, was a grammarian and first secretary of the emperor Philips. After Philips was deposed and blinded by order of Patrika, George and Patrick Theodore, people gathered at the temple of God's Word and proclaimed emperor of Artemia. During the coronation, he changed his name and was henceforth Anastasi. Soon, George and Theodore were blinded and exiled to Thessalonica.

Then the emperor turned to foreign affairs. From the Ambassador Daniel, he learned that the Arabs have collected many troops, cavalry and ships for an attack on Constantinople. Foreseeing that the capital to withstand a long siege, Anastasius ordered for every citizen to procure supplies for three years. Everyone who was not in his pocket, he ordered to leave the city. Anastasius carefully updated the walls, and prepared for military vehicles and gave Constantinople all that is required to repel the enemy attack (Nikephoros: 713).

In 715 g. Anastasius received word that the Arabs moved their fleet to Phenicia and conduct logging of cypress trees. Then he put on light court warriors Opsikieva Legion, set over them Logofet genikona John and ordered an attack on the Arab shipyards, burn chopped trees and all the preparations for Muslims. But when John reached Rhodes, the soldiers revolted and killed him. Seized the ships, they returned to Constantinople and landed at Andramitii. Here, the rebels have found a certain Theodosius, a man unknown and insignificant, and proclaimed him emperor. When Anastasius learned of the rebellion, he left the heads in the capital of his home people who had equipped a fleet and retired to Nicaea. The rebels meanwhile took Hrisopolis and hence began to attack the city's fleet, which stood near the harbor of St.. Mamas. Skirmishes and battles continued in the extension of six months. All this time the case went to Anastasia generally well. But after the city fleet withdrew to Neoriyskoy pier, Theodosius was able to cross over into Thrace, and went up to the city fortifications. Traitors opened before him Vlaherna gate, and at night he came to the capital. Learning of this, Anastase despaired of salvation, dressed in a monk's dress, and gave himself up in the hands of Theodosius. He did not do him any harm, only refer to Salonika (Theophanes: 707).

The ensuing change of emperors and the upheavals associated with the siege of Constantinople by the Arab fleet, diverted attention from the fate of the deposed Anastasia. But he reminded himself. In 719 g. Anastasius tried again seize the throne. He wrote to his friends, called on the Bulgarians and opposed right then Leo III. However, the intrigue was soon revealed. Everyone involved in the conspiracy Leo executed. Anastasius himself was captured by the Thracian Heraclea and beheaded (Nikephoros: 718).