Constans II

Type Figure Region Eastern Roman Empire Time 630–668 Also known as Constans II、Κώνστας Β΄、Constantine the Bearded

Constans II (630–668), Eastern Roman emperor (r. 641–668) and grandson of Heraclius, made Greek the official language, reformed finances and the them…

Timeline

630–641Constantinople · ConstantinopleConstans II was the son of Constantine III and Gregoria and grandson of Heraclius. After Heraclius died in 641 a brief succession dispute ended with his accession, backed by the senate and army, at about eleven years old.
641–655Constantinople · ConstantinopleOnce in power he reformed finances, strengthened the theme system, and replaced Latin with Greek as the empire's official language, a major turning point in Byzantine Hellenization. In 654 his eldest son Constantine (later Constantine IV) was made co-emperor.
655–668Syracuse · SyracuseTo counter the Lombards and Arab expansion in North Africa, Constans II campaigned repeatedly in Italy and North Africa, later residing long in Sicily. He visited Rome to meet the pope in 663. In 668 he was stabbed by an attendant in a bath at Syracuse, and his son Constantine IV succeeded him.

Sources

Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium — Alexander Kazhdan (1991)
A History of the Byzantine State and Society — Warren Treadgold (1997)