Page:Constantinople by Brodribb.djvu/117

 made an attack effectual. No doubt, too, their ships were small and light. When the summer was over, and they were no nearer their object, they retired to Cyzicus, which they captured, and made it their winter quarters. Year after year they returned to the attack; year after year they met with the same obstinate resistance, the same calamities from the accursed fire; year after year they had to begin again their military engines. Yet it was not until the seventh year that they finally retired, and then only because a pestilence broke out among them. As the Greek fire had destroyed so many of their ships, they could not embark all their men in their vessels. It is not stated how many were able to crowd on the ships, but the whole number were cast away in a great tempest and destroyed. Nor was the land army more fortunate. The emperor sent after it all the troops he had in the city. The Greeks came up with the Saracens at Cibyrra. The unfortunate Moslems, covered with wounds, starving, lame, and crippled, could make little resistance. It was like the slaughter of sheep.

Thus ended the first Mohammedan siege of Constantinople. Many generations were to elapse before the infidels were to win their prize.

The only other event of the reign of Constantine was of a theological character. The sixth general council was held in the city in the year 680. In this the Monothelists were condemned, and a peace was patched up with the pope.

Justinian, who succeeded in 685, was dethroned, and had his nose cut off. After ten years of struggle he came