Page "Pope Gregory II" Paragraph 18

Then in 726, Leo issued an iconoclast edit, condemning possession of any icon of the saints.

Although Leo made no move to enforce this edit in the west beyond having it read in Rome and Ravenna, Gregory immediately rejected the edit.

Upon hearing this, the Exarchate of Ravenna rose in revolt against the imperial imposition of iconoclasm.

The armies of Ravenna and the Duchy of the Pentapolis mutinied, denouncing both Exarch Paul and Leo III, and overthrew those officers who remained loyal.

Paul rallied the loyalist forces and attempted to restore order, but was killed.

The armies discussed electing their own emperor and marching on Constantinople, but were dissuaded by Pope Gregory from acting against Leo.

At the same time, the self described “ duke ” Exhilaratus and his son Hadrian rebelled in Naples, sided with the emperor and marched on Rome in order to kill Gregory, but were overthrown by the people and killed.