Turtledove
Register
Advertisement
Constantine III
ConstantineIII
Historical Figure
Nationality: Byzantine Empire
Year of Birth: 612
Year of Death: 641
Cause of Death: Tuberculosis
Religion: Eastern Orthodox
Occupation: Monarch
Parents: Herakleios and Eudokia
House: Heraclian Dynasty
Political Office(s): Byzantine Emperor
Fictional Appearances:
Justinian
Set in OTL
Type of Appearance: Posthumous reference

Herakleios Constantine, known in subsequent historiography as Constantine III, reigned as Byzantine Emperor for four months in 641. He'd previously reigned as co-emperor with his father, Herakleios, beginning in 613. Constantine himself reigned with his half-brother, Heraklonas, whom Herakleios had fathered by his second wife, Martina. Constantine was in poor health, and various factions began plotting in expectation that he was dying.

Constantine succumbed to tuberculosis four months after becoming senior emperor. Heraklonas reigned for a months himself. Rumors that Constantine been murdered by Martina lead to first the ascension of Constans II as co-emperor, and then the ouster of Heraklonas and Martina. Heraklonas' nose was removed, and Martina's tongue was cut.

Constantine III in Justinian

In his memoir, Justinian II summarized Herakleios Constantine's short reign, and prayed that God had mercy on his great-grandfather's soul.[1]

References

  1. Justinian, pg. 7, pb.
Royal offices
(OTL)
Preceded by
Herakleios
Byzantine Emperor
613–641
with Herakleios, 613–641
Heraklonas, 641
Succeeded by
Heraklonas
Advertisement