Leo at the beginning of his reign…

Leo at the beginning of his reign had not attempted to continue the fierce iconoclastic policy pursued by his father and grandfather, forbidding the use of icons.

Instead, he has shown considerable moderation toward the proponents of icons, even appointing them to bishoprics.

This action may have resulted from the influence of the strongly orthodox Irene.

In 780, however, he reverses his policy and initiates a persecution of those favoring the use of icons.

He dies prematurely, at thirty-one, on September 8, 780, leaving to succeed him his nine-year-old son, Constantine VI, under the regency of the empress Irene.

Later in this year, Irene crushes what seems to have been a plot by the Iconoclasts to put Leo's half brother, Nikephoros, on the throne.