ArtabasdosBornBefore 713Died743ConsortAnnaIssueNikephorosNiketasDynastyIsaurianArtabasdos or Artavasdos (Greek: Ἀρταύασδος or Ἀρτάβασδος, from Armenian: Արտավազդ, Artavazd, Ardavazt, Latinized as Artabasdus) was a Byzantine general of Armenian descent who seized the throne from June 741 until November 743, in usurpation of the reign of Constantine V. Rise to powerIn about 713, Emperor Anastasius II appointed Artabasdos as governor (stratēgos) of the Armeniac Theme (Θέμα Άρμενιάκων, Thema Armeniakōn), the successor of the Army of Armenia, which occupied the old areas of the Pontus, Armenia Minor, and northern Cappadocia, with its capital at Amasea.BarasbakouriosBarasbakourios (Greek: Βαρισβακούριος; died 711) was a Byzantine dignitary in the service of Emperor Justinian II (r. 685–695, 705–711), whose downfall occasioned his own death at the hands of the agents of Emperor Philippicus (r. 711–713). Barasbakourios was a resident of Chersonesus—and probably of Iberian descent, as suggested by his name—when he befriended the exiled emperor Justinian II around 695.
ConstantinopleConstantinople, was the capital of the Roman and Byzantine Empire from 330 until its takeover by the Ottoman Empire in 1453. After this, it was changed to Istanbul.
Byzantine EmpireThe Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the continuation of the Eastern part of the Roman Empire centred on Constantinople during late antiquity and the Middle Ages. Having survived the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD, it endured until the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire in 1453. The term 'Byzantine Empire' was coined only after its demise; its citizens used the term 'Roman Empire' and called themselves 'Romans'.
Fourth CrusadeLatin Christian armed expedition (1202–1204)Belligerents Crusaders from:Kingdom of FranceHoly Roman EmpireRepublic of VeniceIn Europe:Byzantine EmpireKingdom of HungaryKingdom of CroatiaHoly Land:Ayyubid dynastyCommanders and leadersBoniface I of MontferratEnrico DandoloTheobald III of Champagne #Baldwin IX of FlandersLouis I of BloisHugh IV of Saint-PolConrad of HalberstadtMartin of PairisConon de BéthuneAlexios IV Angelos Alexios III AngelosAlexios V Doukas Al-Adil IStrength4,000-5,000 knights8,000 infantry300 siege weapons10,000 sailors and marines60 war galleys100 horse transports50 troop transports10,000 Byzantine infantry and city militias5,000 Varangians20 war galleysThe Fourth Crusade (1202–1204) was a Latin Christian armed expedition called by Pope Innocent III.
Greek languageIndo-European languageGreek (Modern Greek: ελληνικά, romanized: elliniká; Ancient Greek: ἑλληνική, romanized: hellēnikḗ) is an Indo-European language, constituting an independent Hellenic branch within the Indo-European language family.
TurkeyTurkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a country mainly located in Anatolia in West Asia, with a smaller part called East Thrace in Southeast Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the north; Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east; Iraq, Syria, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south; and the Aegean Sea, Greece, and Bulgaria to the west. Turkey is home to over 86 million people; most are ethnic Turks, while Kurds are the largest ethnic minority.
Theme (Byzantine district)The themes or thémata (Greek: θέματα, thémata, singular: θέμα, théma) were the main military and administrative divisions of the Byzantine Empire. They were established in the mid-7th century in the aftermath of the Slavic migrations to the Balkans and Muslim conquests of parts of Eastern Roman territory, and replaced the earlier ancient provincial system established by Diocletian and Constantine the Great.
LatinLatin (lingua Latina or Latinum) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area around Rome, Italy. Through the expansion of the Roman Republic, it became the dominant language in the Italian Peninsula and subsequently throughout the Roman Empire.
AnatoliaPeninsula of Turkey in Western AsiaAnatolia (Greek: Ανατολή, Turkish: Anadolu), also known as Asia Minor, is a peninsula in West Asia that makes up the majority of the land area of Turkey.
TurmaA turma (from Latin'swarm, squadron'; plural turmae; Greek: τούρμα) was a cavalry unit in the Roman army of the Republic and Empire. In the Byzantine Empire, it became applied to the larger, regiment-sized military-administrative divisions of a thema. The word is often translated as "squadron" but so is the term ala, a unit that was made up of several turmae.
Patrician (ancient Rome)The patricians (from Latin: ) were originally a group of ruling class families in ancient Rome. The distinction was highly significant in the Roman Kingdom and the early Republic, but its relevance waned after the Conflict of the Orders (494 BC to 287 BC). By the time of the late Republic and Empire, membership in the patriciate was of only nominal significance. The social structure of ancient Rome revolved around the distinction between the patricians and the plebeians.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.