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What rebellions did Leo III suppress after becoming emperor?
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Leo III
Leo III, gold solidus from Constantinople, 717–741.
After ascending to the throne in 717, Leo III consolidated his authority by suppressing several internal challenges to his rule:
- Restoration Plot: Leo crushed a conspiracy involving army officers and officials who sought to restore the former emperor Anastasius II to the throne.1
- Sicilian Rebellion: He successfully suppressed a rebellion that occurred in Sicily.1
- Cyclades Islands Uprising: In 727, an unsuccessful rebellion broke out in the Cyclades Islands, which was likely motivated by opposition to Leo’s implementation of [Iconoclasm].1
To prevent future military uprisings, Leo later subdivided several large military-district armies, or themes, which had previously become powerful enough for their commanders to attempt to seize the throne.1