Constantine III. son of Heraclius, in partnership with Heracleonas, his brother by the same father, assumes the imperial purple. Constantine reigns 103 days, and after his death, his son. Constantine’s son Constans is declared emperor, though Heracleonas, with his mother Martina, wished to continue in possession of the supreme power 641 Cyprus taken by the Saracens 648 The Saracens take Rhodes, and destroy the Colossus 653 Constantine IV., surnamed Pogonatus, succeeds, on the murder of his father in Sicily 668 The Saracens ravage Sicily 669 Constantinople besieged by the Saracens, whose fleet is destroyed by the Greek fire 673 Justinian II. succeeds his father Constantine. In his exile of 10 years the purple was usurped by Leontius and Absimerus Tiberius. His restoration happened 704. The only men of learning in this century were Secundus, Isidorus, Theophylactus, Georgius Pisides, Callinicus, and the venerable Bede 685 Pepin engrosses the power of the whole French monarchy 690 Africa finally conquered by the Saracens 709 Bardanes, surnamed Philippicus, succeeds at Constantinople, on the murder of Justinian 711 Spain is conquered by the Saracens. Accession of Artemius, or Anastasius II., to the throne 713 Anastasius abdicates, and is succeeded by Theodosius III., who, two years after, yields to the superior influence of Leo III., the first of the Isaurian dynasty 715 Second, but unsuccessful, siege of Constantinople by the Saracens 717 Tax called Peter-pence begun by Ina king of Wessex, to support a college at Rome 727 Saracens defeated by Charles Martel between Tours and Poitiers in October 732 Constantine V., surnamed Copronymus, succeeds his father Leo 741 Dreadful pestilence for three years over Europe and Asia 746 The computation of years from the birth of Christ first used in historical writings 748 Learning encouraged by the race of Abbas caliph of the Saracens 749 The Merovingian race of kings ends in France 750 Bagdad built, and made the capital of the caliphs of the house of Abbas 762 A violent frost for 150 days from October to February 763 Monasteries dissolved in the east by Constantine 770