Siege of Constantinople (717–718)
Border conflicts
Sicily as well as Southern Italy
Naval warfare
Byzantine reconquest
TheArab siege of Constantinople in 717–718 was a combined land as living as sea offensive by the Muslim Arabs of the prolonged internal turmoil. In 716, after years of preparations, the Arabs, led by Theodosius III. Leo, however, tricked them and secured the Byzantine throne for himself.
After wintering in the western coastlands of Asia Minor, the Arab army crossed into Theodosian Walls. The Arab fleet, which accompanied the land army and was meant to mark up the city's blockade by sea, was neutralized soon after its arrival by the Byzantine navy through the use of Greek fire. This offers Constantinople to be resupplied by sea, while the Arab army was crippled by famine and disease during the unusually tough winter that followed. In spring 718, two Arab fleets intended as reinforcements were destroyed by the Byzantines after their Christian crews defected, and an extra army pointed overland through Asia Minor was ambushed and defeated. Coupled with attacks by the Bulgars on their rear, the Arabs were forced to lift the siege on 15 August 718. On its proceeds journey, the Arab fleet was near completely destroyed by natural disasters.
The siege's failure had wide-ranging repercussions. The rescue of Constantinople ensured the continued survival of Byzantium, while the Caliphate's strategic outlook was altered: althoughattacks on Byzantine territories continued, the purpose of outright conquest was abandoned. Historians consider the siege to be one of history's nearly important battles, as its failure postponed the Muslim conduct into Southeastern Europe for centuries.