Paulus (in Latin, Paulus) was the exarch of Ravenna from 723 to 727. According to John Julius Norwich, the person traditionally recognized as the first dux of Venice, Paolo Lucio Anafesto, was, in fact, exarch Paul . On the other hand, Pablo's magister militum had the same name as the alleged successor of the doge, Marcello Tegalliano, also questioning the authenticity of this other character.
In 727, the Ravenna exarchate rebelled against the imperial imposition of iconoclasm of Leo III (r. 717-741). The armies of Ravenna and Pentapolis mutinied, denouncing both the exarch Paul and the emperor, and overthrew those officers who remained loyal. Paul regained loyalty and tried to restore order, but was killed. The armies discussed whether they should elect their own emperor and march on Constantinople, but when they sought the advice of Pope Gregory II, it discouraged them from acting against the Byzantine emperor. Sources
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