Justinian II has contributed to the development…

Justinian II has contributed to the development of the thematic organization of the Empire, creating a new theme of Hellas in southern Greece and numbering the heads of the five major themes—Thrace in Europe, Opsikion, the Anatolikon, and Armeniakon themes in Asia Minor, and the maritime corps of the Karabisianoi—among the senior administrators of the Empire.

He has also sought to protect the rights of peasant freeholders, who serve as the main recruitment pool for the armed forces of the Empire, against attempts by the aristocracy to acquire their land—putting him in direct conflict with some of the largest landholders in the Empire.

Although strife between Blues and Greens has persisted throughout the century, internal revolt has failed to imperil the Heraclian dynasty until the reign of Justinian II.

If his land policies threaten the aristocracy, his tax policy is no more popular with the common people.

Through his ruthless policy and the merciless extortion by his finance officials Stephen and Theodotos, the emperor has raised the funds to gratify his sumptuous tastes and his mania for erecting costly buildings.

This, ongoing religious discontent, conflicts with the aristocracy, and displeasure over his resettlement policy eventually drives his subjects into rebellion.

The population rises in 695 under Leontios, the strategos of Hellas, imprisoned by the emperor after the defeat by the Arabs at Sebastopolis and newly freed, and proclaims him Emperor.

Justinian is deposed and his nose is cut off (it will later be replaced by a solid gold replica of his original) to prevent his again seeking the throne: such mutilation is common in the of the Eastern Roman Empire (hence his byname Rhinotmetus).

He is exiled to Cherson in the Crimea.