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The introduction provide interesting insights on the history and analysis of the Strategikon. The author or (s) of this book have been questioned since the works inception. Either the Emperors Maurice or perhaps Phocas reigned. The lengthy efforts of translating the text have been made throughout history with modern historians in Germany translating the Greek texts and scholars in England to English.

In Mesopotamia, Theodore commanding the 2nd army in which his brother had given him command of. Achieved a great victory over Shahin being granted the fortune of fighting in a massive hail storm;mysteriously being sheltered from the vollies. Shahin, knowing his life was forfeit, took his own life. Chosroes, on the other hand ordered for his body to be packed in salt and delivered to him, where it would be flogged.

Heraclius’s next step was to secure an alliance with the Hunnic tribes of the Caucasus. He dazzled the Khan of the splendor and wealth of his empire, allegedly showing him a picture of his daughter Epiphania offering her hand in marriage. The Khan was so enthralled by the image that he agreed to send forty thousand of his men to aid in Heraclius’s campaigns…

One being sent home to defend the capital, the second being under the command of the emperors brother Theodore to keep Shahin company in Mesopotamia, while the third would stay with Heraclius keeping a watchful eye of Shahr-Baraz. The Patriarch Sergius and the Patrician Bonus were granted commands of the defense of the city, being sent letters from the emperor fervently giving them advice and encouragement.

The Emperor retreated to Trebizond along the lower Black Sea where he received word of a major Avar offensive on Constantinople. The Khangan had already begun wheeling his siege engines through Thrace. Heraclius knew that to leave for the defense of the city would in turn mean the loss of four years of hard campaigning. The result would be that he would split his army into three groups…

As the Emperor pressed forward, arrows began to strike him, but not critically and cut down many Persians that crossed his path. This act of courage was notes by Shahr-Baraz who was said to have exclaimed-

”Look at your emperor! He fears these arrows and spears no more than would and anvil!”

His courage had won him the day, the Persians scattered the field and the Romans had won a stunning victory.

If we are to believe Theophanes, an engagement took place in the spring of 625 around Sarus(Seyhan) which Shahr-Baraz had led the Romans into an ambush. During the thick of battle, Hearclius is said to have ridden towards the Persian lines with some of his bodyguard and began to catch his enemy by surprise. The persian general ordered his archers to unleash upon the advancing Romans…

During this period the Empress Martina delivered a child sometime during the period of 625-26. It is unclear however which child she bore(either Theodosius or Heraclonas) two children, with one of them perhaps dying of symptoms from the incestuous marriage with Heraclius.

The army would remain in a region known as Albania which boarded the Caspian. Further fighting took place, although nothing significant.

All through the ashes, no trace of their sacred relics being found at Ganzak of Thebrames. It was enough of a moral victory for the Romans after the Persian destruction of Jerusalem and desecration of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The army then march southwards towards Ctesiphon, the capital of the Persians leaving a path of destruction in their wake. There would be delays however with winter approaching….

“Hearclius, however was not in a merciful mood. One glance at the temple, with its central statue of Chosroes surrounded by winged figures representing the sun, moon, and stars, was enough to throw him into a fury…

The building was razed to the ground, and the palace too; after which the army passed onto the neighboring town of Thebarmes, the birthplace of Zoroaster, and reduced it to ashes.”(303-304)

Of the Romans closing in on the city abandoned the inhabitants and retreated to the ancient capital of Ninevah. It’s reasonable to assume that the garrison of some forty-thousand at Ganzak either fled with the Great King, or surrendered its Gates to Heraclius’s mercy.

The beginning of the new season in 623 began with Heraclius sailing alongside his wife Martina to Trebizond. The army had awaited his return in Armenia where they would march through the birthplace of Zoroaster and the Zoroastrian religion. Having received word that Chosroes and the true cross were nearby, the imperial army hastened with great determination. Chosores at his palace in Ganzak, heard of the armies….

Following the victory around Pontus over Shahr-Baraz. Heraclius hurried back to Trebizond so he could sail back to Constantinople to deal with the Avars, this time around the soldiers did not complain upon the instructions that they would not return to their families this season;as mentioned, the emperor had led the men to believe that their cause was that of divine instruction. If they fled, all would be lost.

The first crucial events of Heraclius first campaign are unclear in this book, however the author iterates the inexperienceness of the Emperor to that of Shahr-Baraz. The Emperor seems to have won an engagement in the Cappadocian high-lands.

George of Pisida writes
-”while the imperial troops pursued them through rocks and gullies-for all the world-as if they were hunting wild goats.”

Sometime before his campaign, Heraclius’s first wife Eudoxia had suddenly died and from scrutiny by the Patriarch Sergius, married his niece Martina. Eventually, due to a recent agreement between the emperor and church, granting all expenditures from the church and into the funding of the campaign had seldomly solved the nation’s economic problem. Sergius decided to pardon all the internal affairs of Heraclius

exercising his own command and training alongside his men. Preparing for whatever the Persians would throw at him, believing to be in the time of Anti-Christ and instilling in them as the instruments that god had chosen to defend the faith.

George of Pisida, whom the author includes remarks of the two opposing camps. The persin being “loud with every kind of music”, while the roman”psalms sung echoing”

On Easter Monday, April 5 622. The first emperor to lead his men in the field of battle since Theodosius I. Boarded his flagship and sailed off to deal with the Sassanid Persians. Surprising the Persians who expected him to sail through the Black Sea into Armenia. Sailed south towards Issus; the site of Alexanders great victory over Darius a thousand years before. Here he spent the summer training his men…

The next eight years sees little to no action from the empire at this time. It is not known what the emperor was up to, but it is likely he spent these years training his armies, reforming his administrations and solving the constant problems between the Orthodox and Monophysite communities. The Avars controlled the Wheat supplies in Greece, The Persians seized the grain in Egypt and the Lombards threatened Italy.

Heraclius had already sent a few of his followers to oversee the preparations for his arrival. Perhaps a divine indication had occurred during the journey as a storm had drifted the fleet and scattered them from their course. Fearing revolution and the pleas of his people were enough to convince him to stay. After two days, announcing his decision in the St. Sophia, he vowed never to abandon the city.

In 618, the Avar threat looming and the Persians only getting stronger. Heraclius thought it best if he took his court and set up a temporary capital in his home city of Carthage so he could reorganize his forces for the coming invasions. It was only after the Patriarch Sergius and his followers stormed the palace and requested to remain and defend the capital…

Of the survivors, the jewish communities were seemed to have been spared the Persian sword. Many of whom ended up fleeing Jerusalem and settling in Persian lands, even some taking up the sword in the Persian army. The author mentions the work of Theophanes and his reported ninety-thousands “co-religionists” being slaughtered at the hands of Jewish swords;especially the Monks and Nuns, who were singled out.

What ensued according to Norwich’s commentary “the Persian capture of Jerusalem was one of the most hideous of catastrophes that had befallen the city.” Shahr-Baraz immediately after attacks began sent in his men and slaughtered every male born Christian in the city and sent the rest into slavery. During which, sacred relics of the Passion, The True Cross, and others were scattered throughout the east.

“within a year of Heraclius’s ascension, the brilliant Persian general Shahr-Baraz-“the royal boar”- had already seized Antioch and Damascus in 613. In 614 Jerusalem would follow.”

In Jerusalem however, although initially the Persians were welcomed. The terms they offered seemed to have been abused;although the author is unclear in explaining why. The Christians rose up and began killing Persians and Jews

Heraclius, at the prime of his life(around 36). Had relived the empire of the tyrant Phocas after his expedition from Carthage and a reluctant population eager to rid the already divided empire. It would be cake walk for the new emperor. Chosroes Sassinids had already seized many eastern lands with ambitions in Anatolia. In the Balkans, the Avars and Slavs were in the march with their sights on the capital.

“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.”