Artabasdo

Artabasdos was the chamberlain and son-in-law of Byzantine Emperor Leo III the Isaurus, briefly seizing power in Constantinople shortly after Leo's son Constantine V ascended to the throne in 741 He had the support of the powerful iconodula faction (supporters of the veneration of images) in the clergy and the people. as well as with the themes Opsiciano and Armeniaco.

Constantine, meanwhile, took refuge in the mountains of Isauria, where his dynasty came from, and with the support of the Anatolic and Thracesian themes, and the Asian section of the Byzantine army, which was clearly iconoclastic, managed to defeat and execute Artabasdo in 743. Provincial troops often changed sides throughout the conflict as they were not outright supporters of any policy and their religious beliefs could not have been a deciding factor.