An extremely interesting archaeological find.

Recently, a team of archaeologists discerned a half-erased name on a Naxos temple: Justinian II Rhinotmetos ("slit-nosed"), who modernized the Byzantine Empire and confronted its foes.

He reigned from the late 7th to early 8th century AD, as Byzantium faced annihilation. He imposed himself on Slavs and Arabs, reformed the empire, depicted Christ on coins, and sought to resolve theological disputes with Rome. His bold initiatives sparked backlash.

In 695, general Leontios's coup deposed him; to bar reclaiming the throne, they cut out his tongue, mutilated his nose, and exiled him to Cherson in modern Ukraine. Yet in 705, he astonishingly regained the throne despite disfigurement. Deposed again in 711, he was beheaded by usurper Philippikos Bardanes.

Both depositions triggered damnatio memoriae ("condemnation of memory"), obliterating his inscriptions empire-wide—hence scant, hostile sources survive. At Panagia Drosiani church, only 6 of 19 founder inscription verses remain legible, attributing construction to his second reign (705–711) with his young son and co-emperor Tiberius II. They precede epithets like rare "theostépton" (crowned by God); Sisinnios may reference the like-named Pope, who originated from the Greek East, elevated 708.

Justinian II convened the Quinisext Council (692) to settle Christological disputes on Christ's two natures, later pressing Rome's acceptance. Panagia Drosiani's iconography embodies this: the dome's Pantocrator appears twice with distinct traits signaling divine/human natures. Elsewhere, Christ manifests humanly as curly-haired, the short-bearded Syro-Palestinian type—not the long-haired, idealistic antique archetype.

(summarised and translated from anaskafi.gr