From 698 to 718, Constantinople is engaged in almost constant war with the Arabs in various fronts.

The defeat at the Battle of Sebastopolis and internal instability lead to the gradual loss of Armenia and Cilicia, and despite some successes by Heraclius, brother of Tiberius III, the Byzantines generally maintain a defensive stance against the annual Arab raids into Anatolia.

Carthage falls in 697.

Recovered soon after, it is again lost in 698, marking the end of Byzantine North Africa.

From 712 on, the Arab raids penetrate ever deeper into Anatolia, with the final objective of mounting an assault on Constantinople.

The repulsion of the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople (717–718) is a major Byzantine success, and halts Arab attacks against the Empire for a few years.