The **Heraclian and Isaurian dynasties** (610–802) represented an important and crucial era in Byzantine history. It began when **Heraclius I** *seized the throne from Phocas* in the year 610 AD, and saved the empire from collapse, *defeating the Sasanians and restoring* (very briefly) *Roman power in the east*. During the reign of his sons and successors, the empire *faced the power hungry and rapid expansion of the Arabs*, which ultimately led to the loss of Syria, Egypt, and most of North Africa. After the violent fall of his descendant **Justinian II** in 711 AD, the empire *entered a period of instability known as the Twenty Years’ Anarchy*.

Stability then returned in 717 AD, when **Leo III** became emperor and *successfully defended Constantinople from a massive Arab siege* later that year. The emperors that followed him *strengthened the military*, but also *initiated the very controversial policy of Iconoclasm*, opposing the use of religious images. The dynasty later ended in 802 AD after the deposition of **Empress Irene**.

There is a QR code on the chart, but if it doesn't work for you, then here is a link: [HeraclianandIsaurianDynasties.pdf](file:///C:/Users/cmccl/OneDrive/Documents/ByzantineemperorsH&I.pdf)

Heraclian and Isaurian Dynasties