Constans II (aka Konstans II) was emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 641 to 668 CE. Sometimes known as Constans Pogonatos (“the Bearded”), he came to the throne by a series of unlikely events and his empire was immediately challenged almost everywhere by the rising Arab Caliphate. He attempted to end the Church's divisive debate on Christ's nature and will but succeeded in only antagonising the Popes and ensuring his name would be denigrated by Christian historians thereafter. Like so many of his predecessors, he faced endless revolts and usurpers and met his death at the hands of an assassin while taking a bath.
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Timeline
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641 - 668Reign of Byzantine emperor Constans II.
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642Byzantine Alexandria falls to the Rashidun Caliphate.
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642Byzantine emperor Constans II attacks the Armenian capital of Dvin.
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648Byzantine emperor Constans II issues his edict forbidding further discussion on Monotheletism.
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649The Rashidun Caliphate attacks Byzantine Cyprus.
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654Byzantine Crete, Kos and Rhodes fall to the Rashidun Caliphate.
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655A Byzantine fleet is destroyed by the Rashidun Caliphate off the coast of Lycia.
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659A peace treaty is signed between the Byzantine Empire and the Rashidun Caliphate.
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663Byzantine emperor Constans II takes up permanent residence at Syracuse, Sicily.
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663Byzantine emperor Constans II visits the Pope in Rome.
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15 Sep 668Byzantine Emperor Constans II is killed in his bath in Syracuse, Sicily.
