ANASTASIUS II. (d. 721), Roman emperor in the East, whose
original name was Artemius, was raised to the throne of
Constantinople by the voice of the senate and people in A.D.
713, on the deposition of Philippicus, whom he had served in
the capacity of secretary. The empire was threatened by the
Saracens both by land and sea, and Anastasius sent an army
under Leo the Isaurian, afterwards emperor, to defend Syria;
adopted wise and resolute measures for the defence of his
capital; attempted to reorganize the discipline of the army;
and equipped and despatched to Rhodes a formidable naval
force, with orders not only to resist the approach of the
enemy, but to destroy their naval stores. The troops of the
Opsikian province, resenting the emperor's strict measures,
mutinied, slew the admiral, and proclaimed Theodosius, a
person of low extraction, emperor. After a six months' siege,
Constantinople was taken by Theodosius; and Anastasius, who
had fled to Nicaea, was compelled to submit to the new emperor,
and, retiring to Thessalonica, became a monk (716). In 721
he headed a revolt against Leo, who had succeeded Theodosius,
and receiving a considerable amount of support, laid siege
to Constantinople; but the enterprise failed, and Anastasius,
falling into Leo's hands, was put to death by his orders.
AUTHORITIES.--Sources: Theophanes, Chronicle: Nicephorus
Patriarches, Breviarium. Modern works: Gibbon, Decline and
Fall, vol. v. (ed. Bury); Bury, Later Roman Empire, vol. ii.
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