LEO III THE ISAURIAN.(717-741).Constantinople.Follis.

Obv : Leo standing facing, holding akakia and cruciform sceptre.

Rev : Large M between A/N/N/O and date; above, cross; below, A; in exergue, CON.
Sear 1513A.

Condition : Brown patina with a nice gloss.Good very fine.

Material : Copper.
Axis : 12h

Weight : 3.80 gr
Diameter : 21 mm

Leo III the Isaurian was a Byzantine emperor who ruled from 717 to 741 CE. His reign is particularly significant for its military successes, religious reforms, and the establishment of the Isaurian dynasty. He is best known for initiating the controversial policy of **Iconoclasm**, which banned the use of religious icons in Christian worship, and for defending the Byzantine Empire against external threats, most notably the siege of Constantinople by the Umayyad Caliphate.

Leo was born around 685 CE in Germanikeia, in the region of Commagene (modern-day Turkey), though some sources suggest he had connections to Isauria, a mountainous region in southern Anatolia, which earned him the title "Isaurian." Before becoming emperor, Leo served as a general in the Byzantine army and gained a reputation for his military acumen. He was stationed in Anatolia and played a significant role in defending the empire's eastern frontiers from Arab invasions.

In 717 CE, the Byzantine Empire was in a state of disarray, suffering from internal instability and external threats. The previous emperor, Theodosius III, was forced to abdicate, and Leo was proclaimed emperor by the military. Almost immediately after taking the throne, Leo faced a massive invasion by the Umayyad Caliphate. The Arabs laid siege to Constantinople, the Byzantine capital, in one of the largest military campaigns of the time. Leo skillfully organized the defense of the city, utilizing the formidable fortifications of Constantinople and the famous Greek fire, a flammable substance that played a key role in repelling the Arab navy. After a year-long siege, the Umayyads were forced to retreat in 718 CE, securing Leo’s position and saving the empire from collapse.

Leo III’s reign was also marked by significant legal and administrative reforms. He issued the *Ecloga*, a revised legal code that made adjustments to Byzantine law, incorporating Christian principles and seeking to make the legal system more just and humane. These reforms aimed to stabilize the empire and improve governance.

One of the most defining aspects of Leo’s rule was his religious policy, particularly his introduction of **Iconoclasm** around 726 CE. Believing that the veneration of religious images, or icons, had become a form of idolatry, Leo ordered their removal from churches and prohibited their use in Christian worship. This policy sparked deep divisions within the Byzantine Empire, leading to conflict between iconoclasts (those who supported the destruction of icons) and iconodules (those who supported their use). The policy of Iconoclasm was highly controversial and would lead to decades of religious strife within the empire. The policy was also met with strong opposition from the Papacy in Rome, further straining relations between the Eastern and Western branches of Christianity.

Despite the internal turmoil caused by Iconoclasm, Leo III successfully defended the empire’s borders against external threats. He continued to fortify Byzantine defenses, particularly in the eastern provinces, and maintained a strong military presence to fend off Arab invasions. His military successes and reforms helped stabilize the empire during a period of significant pressure.

Leo III died in 741 CE and was succeeded by his son, Constantine V, who continued many of his father’s policies, including the enforcement of Iconoclasm. Leo’s reign is often seen as a turning point in Byzantine history, as he laid the foundations for the revival of Byzantine strength after a period of crisis, while his religious policies left a lasting legacy of conflict within the Christian world.