Artabasdus was a chamberlain of the Byzantine emperorLeo III the Isaurian and briefly seized power in Constantinople soon after the accession of Leo's son, Constantine V Copronymus, in 741. He was supported by strong iconodule (i.e. supporters of holy images) factions among the clergy and common people. Constantine however took refuge in the Isaurian mountains whence his dynasty originated, and with support of the Asian part of the Byzantine army, who were iconoclasts to a man, had Artabasdus defeated and executed in 743.
Artabasdus (742-743 A.D.) and Anna (wife of Artabasdus)
Anna, daughter of Leo III, was born prior to her father's accession and, according to Theophanes, it was in 715 that she was promised in marriage to the Armenian Artabasdus, general of the Armeniac theme, following Theodosius III's deposition of Anastasius II.
The marriage took place some time after Leo became emperor, in March 717, and Artabasdus was given the rank of curopalates or major-domo of the palace, a high honorary title, and made count (comes) of the Opsikion theme.
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