Theodosius Iii
Theodosius III (Greek: ) was Emperor Byzantine from 715 to 25 March 717.
He was tax collector in southern theme of Opsikion. According to some theories, he is the son of former emperor Tiberius III. When the troops theme of Opsikion rebelled against the emperor Anastasius II , he was chosen as emperor. Theodosius did not accept that choice easily. According to the chronicler Theophanes the Confessor , he even tried to hide in the forests near Adramyttion. Finally, he was found and he was proclaimed emperor in May 715.
Theodosius and his army immediately began the siege of Constantinople. Six months later, in November 715 , they could enter the city. Theodosius showed himself extremely moderate in the treatment inflicted to his predecessor and his supporters. Following the intervention of Patriarch Germanos I,Anastasius II agreed to abdicate became a monk at Thessaloniki.
We know little about the short reign of Theodosius. He immediately faced an Arab invasion which penetrated far into Anatolia and advance the Arab fleet. In 716 he concluded a treaty with Kormesius Bulgaria, Bulgarian pro treated in order to provide support against the Arab invasion. This policy proved to pay when, in 719 , the Bulgarians brought their assistance during the siege of Constantinople.
In 717 , the strategist of the theme of Anatolia Isaurian Leo (the future Leo III ) rebelled against Theodosius. Leo Isaurian allied himself with Artavasdes , strategist of the theme of Armenia. Leo Isaurian captured the son of Theodosius to Nicomedia and Theodosius chose to abdicate on 25 March 717. He and his son then entered the clergy.
Theodosius may have become bishop of Ephesus to 729. Modern historians believe rather that it was his son who was bishop. Anyway, the last trace we have of this bishop is 24 July 754 , at the Council of Hieria.
| Preceded by | Theodosius III | Followed by | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anastasius II |
| Leo III |
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