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What was heraclius known for?
Heraclius, (born c. 575, Cappadocia—died Feb. 11, 641, Constantinople), Eastern Roman emperor (610–641) who reorganized and strengthened the imperial administration and the imperial armies but who, nevertheless, lost Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and Byzantine Mesopotamia to the Arab Muslims.
Who was a strong emperor of the Byzantine Empire?
Justinian I
Justinian I served as emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 527 to 565. Justinian is best remembered for his work as a legislator and codifier. During his reign, Justinian reorganized the government of the Byzantine Empire and enacted several reforms to increase accountability and reduce corruption.
How important a role do you think belisarius played in the rise of the Byzantine Empire?
Flavius Belisarius (Greek: Φλάβιος Βελισάριος; c. 500 – 565) was a military commander of the Byzantine Empire under the emperor Justinian I. He was instrumental in the reconquest of much of the Mediterranean territory belonging to the former Western Roman Empire, which had been lost less than a century prior.
Was Heraclius a good leader?
The 14th-century scholar Ibn Kathir (d. 1373) went even further, stating that “Heraclius was one of the wisest men and among the most resolute, shrewd, deep and opinionated of kings. He ruled the Romans with great leadership and splendor.”
What changes did Heraclius make to the Byzantine Empire?
Emperor Heraclius’—who ruled from 610 CE to 641 CE—responded to these threats with a new set of reforms. He restructured the military, paying for it by clamping down on corruption and increasing taxes. He also started putting less gold in coins so he could mint more of them, enabling him to pay more soldiers.
What did Heraclius do for the Byzantine Empire?
He was responsible for introducing Greek as the Byzantine Empire’s official language. His rise to power began in 608, when he and his father, Heraclius the Elder, the exarch of Africa, led a revolt against the unpopular usurper Phocas. Heraclius’s reign was marked by several military campaigns.
What did Heraclius do in 621?
Campaigning in 621, Heraclius began by taking an image of Christ and, putting his faith in it, proceeded to address his dispirited and undisciplined army. A year later, the Emperor invaded Persia and again addressed his troops with holy undertones.
What was the result of Heraclius defeat of the Persians?
Heraclius’s defeat of the Persians ended a war that had been going on intermittently for almost 400 years and led to instability in the Persian Empire. Kavad II died only months after assuming the throne, plunging Persia into several years of dynastic turmoil and civil war.
What did Heraclius sue for in exchange for peace?
Safe behind the walls of Constantinople, Heraclius was able to sue for peace in exchange for an annual tribute of a thousand talents of gold, a thousand talents of silver, a thousand silk robes, a thousand horses, and a thousand virgins to the Persian King.