Ashina Funian vs Theophilos

Ashina Funian declared himself khagan of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate during a period of Tang Chinese domination over the Turkic tribes. His claim to the throne was part of a broader Turkic resistance movement against Tang control, challenging the authority of the Tang-protected khagans.

Ashina Funian's rebellion against Tang Chinese authority was defeated by Tang forces. The suppression of his uprising reaffirmed Tang control over the Eastern Turkic Khaganate. Funian was captured or killed during the campaign, ending his brief claim to the khaganate.

Theophilos succeeded his father Michael II as Byzantine emperor. He was the last emperor to actively support iconoclasm. His reign was marked by military campaigns against the Arabs and cultural patronage.

Theophilos continued the iconoclast policies of his predecessors, persecuting icon venerators. He ordered the execution of the painter Lazarus and the exile of the monk Theodore the Studite. His death in 842 ended the iconoclast period.

Theophilos led several campaigns against the Abbasid Caliphate, including a major expedition in 838 that resulted in the sack of the Byzantine city of Amorium. The loss of Amorium was a significant blow to Byzantine prestige.

Theophilos built the Bryas Palace near Constantinople, modeled after Arab palaces he admired. The palace featured elaborate gardens, fountains, and mosaics. It reflected his interest in Islamic culture and architecture.