List of Byzantine Emperors - Isaurian Dynasty (717–802)

Isaurian Dynasty (717–802)

See also: Isaurian dynasty

	Reign	Comments
Leo III "the Isaurian" (Λέων Γ΄ ο Ίσαυρος)	25 March 717 – 18 June 741	Born c. 685 in Germanikeia, Commagene, he became a general. Rose in rebellion and secured the throne in spring 717. Repelled the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople and initiated the Byzantine Iconoclasm.
Constantine V "the Dung-named" (Κωνσταντίνος Ε΄ ο Κοπρώνυμος)	18 June 741 – 14 September 775	Born in July 718, the only son of Leo III. Co-emperor since 720, he succeeded upon his father's death. After overcoming the usurpation of Artabasdos, he continued his father's iconoclastic policies and won several victories against the Arabs and the Bulgars. He is given the surname "the Dung-named" in hostile later chroniclers.
Artabasdos (Αρτάβασδος)	June 741/742 – 2 November 743	General and son-in-law of Leo III, Count of the Opsician Theme. Led a revolt that secured Constantinople, but was defeated and deposed by Constantine V, who blinded and tonsured him.
Leo IV "the Khazar" (Λέων Δ΄ ο Χάζαρος)	14 September 775 – 8 September 780	Born on 25 January 750 as the eldest son of Constantine V. Co-emperor since 751, he succeeded upon his father's death.
Constantine VI (Κωνσταντίνος ΣΤ΄)	8 September 780 – August 797	Born in 771, the only child of Leo IV. Co-emperor in 776, sole emperor upon Leo's death in 780, until 790 under the regency of his mother, Irene of Athens. He was overthrown on Irene's orders, blinded and imprisoned, probably dying of his wounds shortly after.
Irene of Athens (Ειρήνη η Αθηναία)	August 797 – 31 October 802	Born c. 752 in Athens, she married Leo IV. Regent for her son Constantine VI in 780–790, she overthrew him in 797 and became empress-regnant. Deposed in a palace coup in 802, she was exiled and died on 9 August 803.