Byzantine Emperor. As a long standing ally of Justin II, was instrumental in enabling him to seize power on the death of Justinian in 565 AD. Tiberius and the Empress Sophia then took power themselves when Justin suffered a mental breakdown in 573 AD and a year later he was appointed Caesar and took the name Tiberius Constantine. He earned popularity by spending freely on the military, his supporters and major building projects including the Great Palace of Constantinople. He also abolished the tax on bread and wine and enlisted the Avars as mercenaries to guard the Danube, freeing the Byzantine army to focus exclusively on the Persians. He made unsuccessful attempts to expand the Empire into Italy, but, needing his troops to repel further Persian invasions, was forced to buy the support of the Lombard rulers at a price of two hundred thousand solidi. Meanwhile, Byzantium's territories in Mesopotamia fell to the Persians. He became sole ruler when Justin died in 578 AD and immediately cut taxes again. He again sent troops to Italy and also to Spain and North Africa, but in 580 AD the Avars revolted and attacked the city of Sirmium. There were also simultaneous attacks by the Slavs and Persians. He fell ill and died in 582 AD, leaving Maurice as his successor.
Byzantine Emperor. As a long standing ally of Justin II, was instrumental in enabling him to seize power on the death of Justinian in 565 AD. Tiberius and the Empress Sophia then took power themselves when Justin suffered a mental breakdown in 573 AD and a year later he was appointed Caesar and took the name Tiberius Constantine. He earned popularity by spending freely on the military, his supporters and major building projects including the Great Palace of Constantinople. He also abolished the tax on bread and wine and enlisted the Avars as mercenaries to guard the Danube, freeing the Byzantine army to focus exclusively on the Persians. He made unsuccessful attempts to expand the Empire into Italy, but, needing his troops to repel further Persian invasions, was forced to buy the support of the Lombard rulers at a price of two hundred thousand solidi. Meanwhile, Byzantium's territories in Mesopotamia fell to the Persians. He became sole ruler when Justin died in 578 AD and immediately cut taxes again. He again sent troops to Italy and also to Spain and North Africa, but in 580 AD the Avars revolted and attacked the city of Sirmium. There were also simultaneous attacks by the Slavs and Persians. He fell ill and died in 582 AD, leaving Maurice as his successor.
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