Afonso I of Portugal vs Tiberius II Constantine

Afonso Henriques defeated a larger Almoravid army at Ourique. According to tradition, he was acclaimed King of Portugal on the battlefield. This victory established his reputation and laid the foundation for Portuguese independence.

Afonso I signed the Treaty of Zamora with King Alfonso VII of Le

Afonso I, with the help of Crusaders on the Second Crusade, besieged and captured Lisbon from the Moors. This conquest made Lisbon the capital of Portugal and a major port, expanding the kingdom southward.

Afonso I attacked Badajoz but was defeated by the Leonese army. He was captured and forced to surrender most of his conquests in Galicia and Extremadura. This defeat limited Portuguese expansion eastward.

Pope Alexander III issued the bull Manifestis Probatum, formally recognizing Afonso I as King of Portugal and placing the kingdom under papal protection. This confirmed Portugal's independence and legitimacy.

Tiberius II was known for his generosity, reducing taxes, distributing money to the poor, and remitting debts. He spent lavishly on public works and charity, earning him the epithet 'friend of the poor.' However, his spending depleted the treasury that Anastasius I had accumulated.

Tiberius II Constantine was proclaimed emperor by the Byzantine Senate and people after the death of Justin II. He was chosen for his popularity and reputation for generosity. His accession was marked by a distribution of gold to the people and a remission of taxes.

Tiberius II led campaigns against the Avars and Slavs who were raiding the Balkans. He achieved some successes, including the recapture of Sirmium in 582, but the Avars continued to pose a threat. His military efforts were hampered by limited resources and the ongoing war with Persia.

Tiberius II died after a short illness, having named the general Maurice as his successor. He married Maurice to his daughter Constantina and elevated him to co-emperor before his death. This ensured a smooth transition of power and continued the dynasty.