Twenty Years' Anarchy

The Twenty Years' Anarchy is a historiographic term used by some modern scholars^[1][2][3] for the period of acute internal instability in the Byzantine Empire, marked by the rapid succession of several emperors to the throne. It began with the first deposition of Justinian II in 695 and ended in 717, when Leo III the Isaurian took power and inaugurated the Isaurian dynasty.

Byzantine Empire Βασιλεία Ῥωμαίων (Ancient Greek) Imperium Romanum (Latin)
695–717
The Byzantine Empire by the end of the Twenty Years' Anarchy in 717 AD.
Capital	Constantinople
Common languages	Greek Latin
Religion	Chalcedonian Christianity
Government	Monarchy
Emperor
• 695–698	Leontius
• 698–705	Tiberius III
• 705–711	Justinian II (restored; second term)
• 711–713	Philippicus
• 713–715	Anastasius II
• 715–717	Theodosius III
History
• First deposition of Justinian II	695
• Deposition of Theodosius III	717
Preceded by Succeeded by Byzantine Empire under the Heraclian dynasty Byzantine Empire under the Isaurian dynasty

Justinian II and the usurpers - 685–711

Main articles: Justinian II, Leontius, and Tiberius III

The reign of Justinian II (685–711) became increasingly despotic and violent, and his policies met with considerable opposition. He was eventually deposed and exiled by Leontius (695–698) in 695, precipitating a prolonged period of instability and anarchy, with seven emperors in twenty-two years.^[3]

Leontius was popular at first, but his reputation was ruined in 698 when a failed naval expedition led to the loss of Carthage. Fearing punishment from Leontius, the expedition army helped Tiberius III to overthrow him. While Tiberius (698–705) worked to bolster the eastern frontier and reinforce the defenses of Constantinople, Justinian was conspiring to make a comeback. Allied with the Bulgars, he recaptured Constantinople and executed Tiberius.

Justinian dealt brutally with Tiberius's supporters, and his ensuing reign of six years (705–711) was marked by similar cruelty. He lost the ground regained by Tiberius in the east, and imposed his views on the Pope. The historical role of consul was merged with the other titles of the basileus, taking the Byzantine Empire yet further from its origins and strengthening the Emperor's constitutional position as absolute monarch. In 711 Justinian was overthrown again by the rebellion of Philippicus (711–713). Justinian was captured and executed as was his son and co-emperor, Tiberius (706–711), thus extinguishing the Heraclian line.

Philippicus - 711–713

Main article: Philippicus

Philippicus' rebellion extended beyond politics to religion, deposing the Patriarch Cyrus, reestablishing Monothelitism and overturning the Sixth Ecumenical Council, which in turn alienated the empire from Rome. Militarily the Bulgars reached the walls of Constantinople, and moving troops to defend the capital allowed the Arabs to make incursions in the east. His reign ended abruptly when an army rebellion deposed him and replaced him with Anastasius II (713–715).

Anastasius II - 713–715

Main article: Anastasius II (emperor)

Anastasius reversed his predecessor's religious policies and responded to Arab attacks by sea and land, this time reaching as far as Galatia in 714, with some success. However, the very army that had placed him on the throne (the Opsikion army) rose against him, proclaimed a new emperor and besieged Constantinople for six months, eventually forcing Anastasius to flee.

Theodosius III - 715–717

Main article: Theodosius III

The troops had proclaimed Theodosius III (715–717) as the new emperor, and once he had overcome Anastasius was almost immediately faced with the Arab preparations for the siege of Constantinople (717–718), forcing him to seek assistance from the Bulgars. He in turn faced rebellion from two other themata, Anatolikon and Armeniakon in 717, and chose to resign, being succeeded by Leo III the Isaurian (717–741) bringing an end to the cycle of violence and instability.

Unlike the neighboring Sasanian Empire, which had swiftly collapsed under the Arab threat, the Byzantine Empire survived despite its internal problems and the presence of enemies on two fronts. This was made possible by the strength of the empire's military organization, and by factional struggles within the Arab world.