Leo III the Isaurian
Leo III the Isaurian (c. 685 – 18 June 741) was Byzantine Emperor from 717 to 741. He was born in Germanicia (modern Kahramanmaraş, Turkey) to an Isaurian father and a Syrian mother. Leo began his career in the army, where he distinguished himself as a capable and successful general, rising through the ranks to become the commander of the Anatolic Theme. In 717, Leo seized the throne from Theodosius III, who had been chosen by the previous emperor, Justinian II, to succeed him. Leo's claim to the throne was based on his military successes and his support from the army, which saw him as a strong and capable leader. Leo's reign was marked by several significant events. He successfully defended Constantinople against two sieges by the Umayyad Caliphate, the first in 717-718 and the second in 739-740. He also initiated a series of religious reforms that included the suppression of icons, a policy that would eventually lead to the Iconoclasm controversy. Leo was married to Maria, wh...