Why an Atheist Thinks the Shroud of Turin is the Real Deal

Justinian II was only on the throne for ten years

Leontius

Justinian II was only on the throne for ten years when he was overthrown by Leontius. How much the image of Christ on his coin had to do with it is only speculation. He was sent to a monastery in the Crimea, but only after his nose had been slit. The importance of this cannot be overlooked for one of the rules of succession to emperor was that an emperor had to be attractive looking. Justinian appealed to Tervel, the king of Bulgaria for help. He offered him lavish gifts, the title of Caesar of the empire (there were several) and the hand of his daughter Anastasia (meaning she who is perfect in every way) in marriage. Tervel agreed and sent an army of 15,000 horsemen. But this massive force was not enough to prevail against the walls of Constantinople and so Justinian resorted to sneaking into the city through a water conduit following the example of King David almost 2000 years earlier when he conquered Jerusalem. He then gathered his supporters within the city and captured the palace. Justinian Rhinotmetus (the Slit-nosed) was emperor again. He wasn’t succeeding to the thrown this time so the nose was not a problem.

Leontius was already in prison having been overthrown by Tiberius III. So Justinian had both of them executed. He also blinded and exiled Callinicus I, the Patriarch Archbishop of Constantinople, then considered second only to the pope in Rome, for his complicity in Leontius’ coup d’état.