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Herakleios
Herakleios
Historical Figure
Nationality: Armenian citizen of the Byzantine Empire
Year of Birth: c. 575
Year of Death: 641
Cause of Death: Natural causes - dropsy
Religion: Eastern Orthodox
Occupation: Soldier, monarch
House: Heraclian Dynasty
Political Office(s): Byzantine Emperor,
Consul of Rome
Fictional Appearances:
Justinian
Set in OTL
Type of Appearance: Posthumous reference
Agent of Byzantium
POD: c. 597 CE
Appearance(s): "Unholy Trinity"
Type of Appearance: Posthumous reference
Date of Death: Unrevealed
Political office: Byzantine Emperor


Herakleios (Latin: Heraclius; c. 575-641) was Byzantine Emperor from 610 to 641. He came to power after successfully leading a revolt against Phokas, the unpopular incumbent (who'd himself come to power just eight years prior through a revolt).

Herakleios' reign was marked by multiple conflicts with the empire's neighbors, which engendered reforms to the military and an expansion and reorganization of the empire. He also attempted to resolve the issue of Monophysitism by promoting a doctrine called Monothelitism (which was ultimately rejected). The dynasty he founded, the Heraclian Dynasty, continued until the death of Justinian II in 711.

Herakleios also made Greek the official language of the empire.

Herakleios in Justinian[]

In his memoir, Justinian II referred to Herakleios as "the great" on more than one occasion. He also looked to Herakleios for inspiration.

Justinian's uncle and brother were named for the great emperor.

Herakleios in Agent of Byzantium[]

In the years following Saint Mouamet's departure from Syria to the heart of the Roman Empire, Herakleios overthrew and supplanted the Emperor Phokas, and established a dynasty which included the great Constans II.[1]

See also[]

References[]

  1. See e.g. Agent of Byzantium, 2018 edition, pg. 138, tpb.
Royal offices
(OTL)
Preceded by
Phokas
Byzantine Emperor
610-641
With: Constantine III from 613
Succeeded by
Constantine III and Heraklonas
Political offices
(OTL)
Preceded by
Phokas
Consul of the Roman Empire
608
Served alongside: Herakleios the Elder
Succeeded by
Constans II
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