Constantine V was Byzantine emperor from 741 to 775. He was the son of his predecessor, Leo II.
Constantine V continued his father's iconoclast policies, and in 754 convened a synod in Hieria. The council approved of Constantine's religious policy and secured the election of a new Iconoclast patriarch, but refused to follow in all of Constantine's views. Nevertheless, the synod was followed by a campaign to remove images from the walls of churches and to purge the court and bureaucracy of Iconodules. His colourful nickname refers to a rumour that he had defecated in a baptism fountain during this campaign.
By the end of Constantine's reign, Iconoclasm had gone as far as to brand relics and prayers to the saints as heretical. He died in 775 while preparing for a war against the Bulgarians. He was succeeded by his son, Leo IV.
Constantine V continued his father's iconoclast policies, and in 754 convened a synod in Hieria. The council approved of Constantine's religious policy and secured the election of a new Iconoclast patriarch, but refused to follow in all of Constantine's views. Nevertheless, the synod was followed by a campaign to remove images from the walls of churches and to purge the court and bureaucracy of Iconodules. His colourful nickname refers to a rumour that he had defecated in a baptism fountain during this campaign.
By the end of Constantine's reign, Iconoclasm had gone as far as to brand relics and prayers to the saints as heretical. He died in 775 while preparing for a war against the Bulgarians. He was succeeded by his son, Leo IV.
Epithet: Kopronymos ("the Dung-Named")
(1)
Constantine V
Obverse: COIst - LЄO Crowned facing busts of Constantine V and Leo IV, both wearing clamys; above, cross
Reverse: GNO LЄON PAMЧ Crowned facing bust of Leo III, wearing loros and holding cross in his right hand
Diameter:
21 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 3.8 g
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 3.8 g
No notes for this coin
DOC 15
(2)
Constantine V
An
AU
Solidus
struck 756-764 A.D.
in
Constantinople
Obverse: COҺSƮAҺƮIҺOS S LЄOҺ O ҺЄOS - Crowned facing busts of Constantine, with short beard, on left and Leo IV, unbearded, on right; each wearing crown and chlamys; • between heads, + above.
Reverse: C LЄON P A MЧL - Crowned facing bust of Leo III, wearing loros and holding cross potent.
Diameter:
20.5 mm
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 4.42 g
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 4.42 g
Constantine V Copronymus and Leo IV.
SB 1551; DOC 2.