The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Constantine IV, Byzantine emperor
c.652–685, Byzantine emperor (668–85), son and successor of Constans II. He defended Constantinople against the annual naval attacks of the Muslims, who finally withdrew in 678; Greek fire was a conspicuous weapon in the defense. Severely defeated (679) by the Bulgars, Constantine ceded them territory S of the Danube, where they founded a kingdom. In 680 he summoned the Third Council of Constantinople, which briefly reestablished peace between the Eastern and Western churches by condemning Monotheletism. Constantine was succeeded by his son, Justinian II.
