Matthew’s Reviews > Byzantium: The Early Centuries > Status Update
Matthew
is on page 313 of 408
After the defeat of the Persians and the procession of the True Cross in Constantinople and it being placed at the main aspe, behind the iconostasis of the Hagia Sophia was the crowning achievement of Heraclius' career. All seemed to boad well for him. In the middle of the seventh century, a prophet Mohamed would enter into the footnotes of history. A little more than a century later, the Islamic tide call for jihad
— Jan 25, 2026 03:13PM
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Matthew
is on page 338 of 408
As territories in the eastern provinces were becoming more and more in jeopardy by the saracen menace. Constans II began to turn his attention westward in hopes of establishing an imperial presence in Italy. In 663, he became the first emperor to visit Italy since the dissolution of the Western Roman Empire two hundred years before.
— Jan 25, 2026 04:44PM
Matthew
is on page 337 of 408
an iron chain was wrapped around his neck where he was paraded through the Praetorium(imperial prison). The Patriarch Paul insistently sought that Martin should face no further ill-treatment. The emperor accepted this changing the sentencing from death to banishment. Pope Martin would be exiled to Cherson in Crimea were he would die in 655
— Jan 25, 2026 04:33PM
Matthew
is on page 336 of 408
The religious dispute monthelitism would persist at this time. Constans at only seventeen would publish his Typos, which aimed to provide context to this idea, begun by his uncle Heraclius. Pope Martin I would stand up to this edict which led to his eventual kidnapping and brutal torture. He would be trialed and sentenced to death; standing before a dense audience, is papal robes were torn leaving him exposed...
— Jan 25, 2026 04:32PM
Matthew
is on page 331 of 408
In 642, the eleven year old Constans II became the sole ruler of the Roman Empire, addressing the senate to handle the care of the empire effectively acting as a regency until he became of age. During his reign, Alexandria would fall with its population welcoming the conquerors openly. Constantia(Salamis) would fall and too Rhodes, which the enormous bronze fragments of the colossus would be melted for scrap.
— Jan 25, 2026 04:08PM
Matthew
is on page 330 of 408
Your vote above all contributed to the just desposition of her and her son from the imperial dignity, in order that the Roman Empire should not be obliged to countenance so grave an insult to the law. Of this your noble eminences are fully aware; and therefore invite you to assist me by your advice and judgement, in providing for the general safety of my subjects."
-Constans II
Theophanes,Chronographia
— Jan 25, 2026 03:54PM
-Constans II
Theophanes,Chronographia
Matthew
is on page 330 of 408
"My father Constantine regined with Heraclius, his father and my grandfather, for a considerable time;but after the latters death for only a very short time. For the envy of his stepmother Martina brought high hopes to nothing and deprived him his life-and for the sake of Heraclonas, the son of her incestuous union with Heraclius...
-Theophanes, Chronographia
— Jan 25, 2026 03:53PM
-Theophanes, Chronographia
Matthew
is on page 330 of 408
The months after Heraclius death would lead to more religious strife and an attempt by his widow Martina to claim the regency over the bastard Heraclonas. This would not work, with the people circumspect over a female ruler were well aware of her schemes and blamed her for Hearclius decline in health and death. Little Heraclis, changed his name to Constans, apprehended Martina, had severed her tongue, slit his nose
— Jan 25, 2026 03:45PM
Matthew
is on page 324 of 408
The later years of the emperor was a different personality, he was suffering from Dropsy, inflamed tissue all across his body creating unnatural bumps on his limbs, a fear of water which prevented him from leading anymore campaigns, and believing that he was abandoned by god. He was able to recover the True Cross for Jerusalem sometime before the Caliph Omar had entered the city in 638. He would die in 641.
— Jan 25, 2026 03:35PM
Matthew
is on page 323 of 408
allowed for the Arabs to launch an all out attack on the Byzantine lines slaughtering every christian solider to a man.
— Jan 25, 2026 03:31PM
Matthew
is on page 322 of 408
In 636, Heraclius amassed an army and sent them to a little tributary of the Jordan river, at Yarmuk which flowed to the south of the sea of Galilee. However, the roman indecisiveness in their decision making would wait for three months until they struke. The Arab general Khalid took advantage of this harassed them with volleys of arrows, until a sand storm, blowing in the faces of the romans..
— Jan 25, 2026 03:31PM
