Explore the full date: Today in History – September 15.
“In the bathhouses of Syracuse, a Byzantine emperor met his untimely end, a reflection of the instability that marked his reign.”
Take 10 minutes away from the present and step into the Byzantine Empire in 668 AD, a realm teetering on the edge of internal strife and under constant threat from external enemies. On September 15, 668, Emperor Constans II, ruler of the Byzantine Empire for 27 years, was assassinated by one of his servants while he bathed in the city of Syracuse. Constans II’s death was not merely the end of a single life; it marked the culmination of years of political upheaval, unpopular decisions, and ongoing military struggles. His assassination was the final blow to a reign that had been fraught with challenges, from Arab invasions to internal dissent within the empire.
Known as “Constans the Bearded,” this emperor had faced monumental difficulties throughout his reign. His controversial decision to relocate the imperial court from Constantinople to Syracuse in 663 AD, a move intended to fortify the empire’s western territories, only deepened the divisions within his government. The assassination of Constans II symbolized the fragile state of the Byzantine Empire at the time, beset by enemies both within and outside its borders.
The Rise of Constans II: A Young Emperor in a Time of Crisis
An Emperor at 11: Constans II’s Early Ascension
Constans II was thrust into power at the tender age of 11, following the death of his father, Emperor Constantine III, in 641 AD. The Byzantine Empire was already in turmoil when the young emperor took the throne. The empire was facing a resurgent Persian Empire, fierce resistance from Slavic tribes in the Balkans, and a newly emboldened Arab Caliphate that was steadily expanding its reach across the Middle East and North Africa. For a boy emperor, this was a daunting inheritance.
As Constans grew into adulthood, he quickly had to prove his ability to lead. His early years were marked by the heavy influence of court officials and generals, who governed in his stead until he came of age. By the time Constans was ready to assert his authority, the empire was embroiled in a new and more dangerous challenge: the Arab invasions.
Confronting External Threats: The Arab Invasions
The Arab invasions of the Byzantine Empire during Constans II’s reign were relentless. Under the leadership of the Umayyad Caliphate, Arab forces pushed deep into Byzantine territory, capturing cities in Syria, Palestine, and Egypt. The fall of Alexandria in 642 AD, just a year after Constans ascended to the throne, was a devastating blow. Egypt, once a breadbasket of the empire, was now in Arab hands, and this loss severely weakened the Byzantine economy and its military power.
To combat these invasions, Constans II implemented a series of military reforms aimed at strengthening the empire’s defenses. He reorganized the military into thematic districts, or themes, which allowed soldiers to be stationed closer to their homes and enabled the rapid mobilization of local forces in response to threats. These reforms laid the groundwork for the Byzantine Empire’s military structure for centuries to come, although they were not enough to reverse the tide of Arab expansion during Constans’ reign.
Despite these efforts, the empire continued to lose ground in the east. The Arab navy even managed to besiege Constantinople in 655 AD, a clear sign of the growing power of the caliphate. Although the Byzantines were able to fend off this attack, the empire remained on the defensive, and Constans II began looking for new strategies to safeguard what remained of Byzantine control.
The Move to Syracuse: A Bold but Unpopular Decision
Abandoning Constantinople: The Decision to Relocate the Capital
In one of the most controversial decisions of his reign, Constans II chose to move the imperial court from Constantinople to Syracuse, Sicily, in 663 AD. For many Byzantines, this was an unforgivable act. Constantinople had been the heart of the empire since its founding by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, and it was the symbolic center of Byzantine power. Moving the imperial seat to Syracuse, far from the political and military center of the empire, was seen by many as an abandonment of the capital and its people.
But for Constans, the decision made strategic sense. He believed that by moving to Syracuse, he could better defend the empire’s western territories, which were under threat from the Lombards in Italy and Arab raids from North Africa. Sicily itself was a vital province, controlling the sea routes in the Mediterranean, and Constans hoped that his presence there would help secure Byzantine control over the region.
Unrest in the Empire: Dissent and Opposition to the Move
The emperor’s relocation, however, did not go as planned. The move alienated the people of Constantinople, who felt abandoned by their ruler. It also caused tensions among the Byzantine elite, many of whom resented Constans’ decision to focus on the west while the eastern provinces continued to struggle against Arab invasions. This growing dissatisfaction with Constans’ leadership fueled discontent among both the military and the civilian population.
Syracuse itself was far from an ideal choice for an imperial residence. Though strategically located, it lacked the grandeur and infrastructure of Constantinople, and Constans’ court was seen as a poor reflection of the empire’s former glory. The emperor’s increasing isolation in Syracuse only deepened the resentment felt by many within the empire, setting the stage for his eventual downfall.
Assassination of Constans II: The Emperor’s Final Moments
A Fatal Bath: The Assassination of Constans II
By 668 AD, Constans II’s position was growing increasingly precarious. Isolated in Syracuse, he faced growing opposition from those who saw his rule as ineffective and misguided. His enemies included disgruntled generals, nobles who resented his relocation of the capital, and common citizens frustrated with the ongoing warfare and economic difficulties that plagued the empire.
On September 15, 668 AD, Constans II met his fate in a most unexpected place—his bathhouse. As he bathed, one of his servants, reportedly wielding a bucket, struck the emperor on the head, killing him instantly. The assassination was swift and brutal, ending the life of an emperor who had ruled for nearly three decades. The exact motivations behind the murder remain unclear, though it is widely believed that discontent with Constans’ policies and his unpopular move to Syracuse played a significant role.
The Aftermath: A Power Vacuum in the Byzantine Empire
The assassination of Constans II plunged the Byzantine Empire into a period of uncertainty. His death left a power vacuum, and the question of succession immediately became a pressing issue. Constans had a son, Constantine IV, who was able to secure the throne, but not without facing significant opposition from rival factions within the empire.
Constantine IV eventually proved to be a capable ruler, but the instability caused by his father’s assassination lingered. The Byzantine Empire continued to face challenges on multiple fronts, particularly from the Arabs, who remained a constant threat in the east. The legacy of Constans II’s reign—his military reforms, his controversial decision to move to Syracuse, and his assassination—would cast a long shadow over the empire’s future.
The Legacy of Constans II: A Divisive but Determined Ruler
Defending the Empire: Constans II’s Military Reforms
Despite the controversies that marked his reign, Constans II made several significant contributions to the Byzantine Empire, particularly in the realm of military organization. His establishment of the theme system, which decentralized military authority and allowed local commanders to respond more effectively to threats, was a crucial development in Byzantine military history. This system would become a cornerstone of Byzantine defense in the centuries to come, helping the empire resist further invasions from both the Arabs and other enemies.
Constans II also worked to fortify the empire’s borders, constructing defenses and launching campaigns to push back against external threats. Though his reign saw significant territorial losses, particularly in the east, his efforts to maintain the empire’s integrity were instrumental in preventing further collapse.
A Reign Marred by Controversy: The Move to Syracuse and Its Lasting Impact
Constans II’s decision to move the imperial court to Syracuse remains one of the most debated aspects of his reign. On one hand, it was a bold strategic move, aimed at securing the western provinces of the empire and protecting the Mediterranean from Arab incursions. On the other hand, it alienated the people of Constantinople and contributed to the growing discontent that ultimately led to his assassination.
For many, Constans II’s reign is remembered as one of lost opportunities. His military reforms and efforts to defend the empire were overshadowed by the controversies surrounding his policies and his inability to unite the empire during a time of crisis. Nonetheless, his reign left a lasting impact on the Byzantine Empire, both in terms of its military organization and its internal political struggles.
The Assassination of Constans II: A Moment of Turmoil in Byzantine History
The assassination of Emperor Constans II on September 15, 668 AD, was the culmination of a reign marked by controversy, conflict, and constant threat. His decision to relocate the capital to Syracuse, while intended to secure the western territories, led to widespread discontent that ultimately cost him his life. His death plunged the Byzantine Empire into further instability, setting the stage for future power struggles and challenges.
Constans II’s reign, though troubled, left a complex legacy. His military reforms helped to strengthen the empire’s defenses, and his efforts to protect Byzantine territories against external threats were significant. Yet, his assassination serves as a reminder of the fragile nature of power in the Byzantine world—a world where even emperors were not immune to the political and personal conflicts that defined the age.
Discover More: Explore other pivotal moments in the history of the Byzantine Empire in our Ancient History category.
