Roman Empire Βασιλεία Ῥωμαίων 717–802 The Byzantine Empire in 717 AD. The striped areas were frequently invaded. Capital Constantinople Common languages Greek Government Autocracy Emperor • 717–741 Leo III the Isaurian • 741–775 Constantine V • 775–780 Leo IV • 780–797 Constantine VI (under his mother Irene's rule as Empress regent) • 797–802 Irene of Athens History • accession of Leo III the Isaurian 717 • deposition of Irene of Athens 802 Preceded by Succeeded by Twenty Years' Anarchy Byzantine Empire under the Nikephorian dynasty Today part of France Italy Slovenia Croatia Bulgaria Greece Turkey