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“Nobelest of the Gods, King and Master of the whole earth, Son of great Hormisdas-Chosroes to Heraclius his vile and insensate slave: Refusing to submit to our rule, you call yourself lord and sovereign. You seize and distribute our treasure, you deceive our servants. Have I not destroyed you Greeks? You say that you trust in God; then why hasnt he delivered Jerusalem, Alexandria out of my hands? Constantinople?

“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.

Regarding a passage describing a scene in which a boy who was told to watch a set of tools while his father went off for lunch. Being approached in an all white dress asked the boy his purpose of standing guard and what was the plan for naming of the cathedral. The boy was startled. The man in all white proclaimed Hagia Sophia to be the word of God. Justinian heard of this incident and set the boy into exile.

The Theodosian Line and the daughters that sprang from his dynasty would all share very similar stories in common. Galla Placidia pleaded for the removal of Honorius and sought assistance from Alaric. Pulcheria afters her husbands Valentinian III assassination, seeked a marriage from Attila the Hun. Eudoxia, former wife to Arcadius and forcibly betrothed with Petronius Maximus, required help from Vandal King Gaiseric

Antigonus is dead, but his legacy continues with Demetrius who fled the Battle of Ipsus. Seleucus, Ptolemy and Lysimachus divide the spoils. Demetrius meanwhile entertains Seleucus with political marriage’s and briefly become friends. Demetrius would hold territory in Aegean, particularly Cyprus, Tyre and Edessa. He would take Athens following Cassanders death and the chaos in Greece that followed.

So far the successors made up in the beginning by Perdiccas and Antipater sort of created their own factions following Alexanders death with their own followers twisting what Alexander might’ve done for their own best interests. You will also have the influence of Olympias(Alexander exiled mother) and his supposed heir Alexander the IV. Their will be a lot of deaths with Antigonus and Ptolemy being the main player

After Constantine, you would have his sons take hold of the thrones in way continuing the tetrarchy. They would never get along and Julian would come along from this mess to bring back Paganism into the empire. Stoic, but a misguided young visionary whose time had long since past. Theodosius coming in after the disaster of Adrianople. Turning the empire truly into a Christian. Alaric, Stilicho, Frigidus, all vital.

A duel between Diomedes and Ares, god of war who is assisting the trojans. If I remember correctly Diomedes wins and Ares has to find forgiveness from his father Zeus, Zeus does not like Ares but since he his the son of his wife Hera, it keeps him from getting sent to the titans.

Read into the beginnings of early Christianity and Constantines influence on the modern traditions of today. Found it interesting that he wasnt fond of the jewish subjects in the empire and altered the celebration of easter to be on a Sunday differing that the resurrection be celebrated on its own differing from the previous day that saw it celebrated on the same day as passover. His baptism, strife and legacy.

Really interesting introduction into the history of Byzantium with its founding by the Greek Byzas during the Bronze Age, and its significance into the era of Roman dominance. Read about the state of the empire during the 4th century, the advent of Diocletian, his persecutions and the Rise of Constantine. The wars he waged against Galerius, Maxentius and Licinius. Finishing to the point of Lincinius demise.

I got this book while I was visiting because I wanted to learn more about the former capital of the WRE during the years of Diocletian and Honorius’ relocation from Milan in the early 5th century. The book so far mentions a lot of Galla Placidia, she is in a majority of the early passages and chapters. Going heavily into the importance of her role when Rome was ruled by puppet emperors.

Ive been on and off on this one but there are really though provoking poems in this book. Ive found the poems about loss of innocence the most profound, how the war turned the world for these men upside down. Powerful stuff.