Status Updates From Byzantium: The Early Centuries

“Heraclius was not expecting opposition. For some time he had been in secret correspondence with Priscus, the Emperos son-in-law and another one of Maurices old commanders. The captive Emperor(Phocas) already shorn of his inperial robes, was rowed out to bis ship and dragged out into his presence.

-Is it thus, that you have governed the Empire?”Heraclius

-Will you govern it any better.”Phocas

During Jewish persecutions, notably in Antioch the Jews began to murder the local Christians even killing the Patriarch Anastasius. While the rest of the Empire was in chaos, the Exarch of Carthage Heraclius would enter the story. Being a former commander in Maurices’ army, began to raise a force alongside Nicetas to apprehend the blood drunk Phocas.

While the nation was being delved into chaos. Narses, not to be confused with the general of Justinians day, revolted and pleaded to Chosroes for aid in toppling the usurper. Unfortunately for him, Phocas was able to lure Narses to the capital. The moment he was vulnerable he was captured and burnt alive. During this as well, a great persecution of the jewish populations would take place.

With Maurice and his line on sons taken care of. The next eight years(602-610) of Phocas reign was to see the introduction of the noteworthy executions and mutliations that were to become so prevalent in Byzantine history. Constanina and her daughters were sent to the Nunneries and Germanus was given clemency for swearing fealty to Phocas’ shroud.

“Thus the Tragedy of Maurice’s overthrow, even though he brought it largely on himself, was one that he had done little to deserve…Had he allowed his soliders little more bread, his people a few more circuses, could have easily escaped his fate. It was only a matter of weeks before his subjects were mourning his death.”

Phocas entered the city uncontested while the Royal family would be in fleeing for their lives. Eventually Maurice, his sons would be caught and presented the rest of the city.

“The bodies were cast down into the sea, huge crowds came down to the shore to gaze in the corpses. The troop commander, Lilius, returned with the five heads to Constantinople, where they were later exposed at the Hebdomom.”

Maurices most disastrous decree was to station the army along the uninhabitable and contested frontiers across the Danube. This and shortens rations led the army to mutiny and the raising of Phocas as a contester for the throne. Chaos would ensue in the capital with wavering loyalties from the Demes and Theodosius and Germanus being tried for treason during their hunting trips. The Royal family fled the capital.

Maurice published his Stragikhon which laid the basis for Byzantine military reforms for the Middle Ages. He would regain Dara and Martyopolis along the Tigris in a deal with the Persian king Chosroes II which was being delved into a Civil War. Freeing up man power, they would be sent to the West to combat the Avar nuisance.

Tiberius Constantine like his predecessor had a short reign, unlike Justin, his reforms bettered the empire and before his death had selected his Magister Militum Maurice to succeed him. Maurice was by far the most the greatest ruler since Justinians day to come about.

Count of the Excubitors Tiberius Constantine would assume the throne after Justin II sudden death in 578. Norwich leaves very little information about his reign but leaves a fee interesting info that lays out the details for the next ruler. He reinstated the Blues and Greens, gave more powers to the Senate and of the Demes. He also established a new band of foreign troops in the Foederati, for the eventual Varagians

Interesting passage-“ From the outset things went badly for Byzantium. In November 573 the Persians seized Dara on the Tigris-one of e most important bishoprics in the East. The most beautiful Christian virgins were personally selected by Chosroes for presentation to the Khan of the Turks, whom he hoped to enlist as an ally.-the maidens when they reached the river, deliberately drowned themselves.”

Justinian and Theodora are dead. Justin II and his wife Sophia upon the death of Justinian were pulled aside by the exhibitors along with the patriarch were crowned and held a ceremony in the Hippodrome. Justin II immediately taking power had to deal with the problems left behind in Dalmatia from Justinians bribes and sent Tiberius to fight off the Avars. Justin was pretty incompetent would fool around mostly.

So far Justinian and Theodora have played an influential role in the story so far. Upon Theodoras death Justinians reign became more turbulent as according to Norwich Theodora held the real influence. A new tribe called the Avars and Slavs began to migrate into Dalmatia, like the “Eternal Peace” that Justinian bargained with the Sassanids, the emperor would buy off these tribes. Justin II would ascend afterwards.