Justinian II

Justinian II (Justinian Rhinotmetus), 669–711, Byzantine emperor (685–95, 705–11), son and successor of Constantine IV. He successfully invaded Arab territory but lost the advantage through a truce that ceded much of Asia Minor to the Arabs. His extravagance and despotism and his ministers' extortions caused a revolution (695). Justinian had his nose cut off; hence he was given the epithet Rhinotmetus [Gr.,=with the cut-off nose]. He was then exiled. Restored (705) with the help of the Bulgars, he was deposed and beheaded. A series of usurpers occupied the throne from 711. In 717 Leo III established a new dynasty.

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Justinian II 

(nickname, Rhinotmetus). Born circa 670 in Constantinople; died Dec. 11, 711. Byzantine emperor from 685 to 695 and from 705.

Justinian sought to strengthen central authority. He suppressed the separatist tendencies of the large outlying cities, raised taxes, and waged a struggle against heretical movements in Asia Minor. In the late 680’s he conducted a series of campaigns in Thrace and Macedonia; he subjugated the Slavs who had settled there, some of whom he resettled in Asia Minor. Justinian warred against the Umayyads; he was forced to relinquish Armenia after the defeat of Byzantine forces in 692.

In 695, Justinian was overthrown by conspirators. His nose was cut off (hence his nickname “Rhinotmetus” [literally, “one whose nose has been cut off”]), and he was exiled to Chersonesus. He later escaped, fleeing first to the Khazars and then to Bulgaria; with the help of the Bulgarian khan he recovered the throne in 705. In 711, Justinian was overthrown again and executed.