Justinian II
Heraclian Dynasty c.668-711
Justinian’s reign was chaotic to say the least. After years of heavy taxation and conflict with the Church, he was deposed in 695. Justinian was mutilated in an attempt to stop him from regaining the throne, by having his nose cut off. This led to his moniker, ‘rhinotmetos’ (‘slit-nosed’), and he supposedly wore a gold prosthetic. The former emperor plotted his return while in exile, seeking the help of the Khazars, and he was restored to the throne in 705. Cruel and repressive, Justinian only ruled for six years before he was deposed again and executed outside Constantinople.