CONSTANTINE IV

died 685 Byzantine emperor from 668 to 685. He was the eldest son of Constans II. Constantine withstood a four-year Arab siege of Constantinople (674678), greatly enhancing Byzantine prestige and indeed marking a turning point in European history. In the Balkans, however, he could not prevent the Bulgars from crossing the Danube River and establishing their kingdom in the district where their name still survives. He had to recognize their kingdom and pay them annual tribute. Constantine summoned the sixth ecumenical Council of Constantinople (680681), which condemned monothelitism and recognized the orthodox christological doctrine as laid down by the Council of Chalcedon (451).