Maurice

Maurice Historical Figure Nationality: Byzantine Empire Year of Birth: 539 CE Year of Death: 602 CE Cause of Death: Execution by decapitation Religion: Eastern Orthodox Occupation: Soldier, Monarch Parents: Paul Spouse: Constantina Children: Several, including five sons who were likely executed before him House: Justinian Political Office(s): Byzantine Emperor Consul of Rome Fictional Appearances: Justinian Set in OTL Type of Appearance: Posthumous reference Thessalonica Fantasy set in OTL(?) Type of Appearance: Contemporary references Agent of Byzantium POD: c. 597 CE Appearance(s): "Departures" Type of Appearance: Posthumous reference

Maurice (539 - 27 November 602) was Byzantine emperor from 582 until his overthrow and murder in 602. He was the last of the Justinian dynasty. Maurice's reign was marked by almost constant warfare and financial instability as a result. While he met with success against the Persian Empire in the first decade of his reign, including an expansion of his own empire, his campaign in the Balkans proved his eventual undoing. In 602, he ordered the army to remain in winter quarters beyond the Danube River, resulting a mutiny. When Maurice repeatedly ordered the men to begin campaigning again, they declared an officer named Phokas as their leader and marched on Constantinople, capturing Maurice and his family. Maurice was forced to watch his sons' executions before he was decapitated. Phokas was proclaimed emperor.

Maurice in Justinian

In his memoir, Justinian II had occasion to remember Maurice during his own campaign in the Haimos region against the Bulgars. At this point, Justinian's men had also been campaigning all summer and had exhausted all of their supplies. When winter came, Justinian wanted to press on, but the memory of the mutiny against Maurice along with warnings from Myakes, Justinian's loyal companion, convinced Justinian to return to Constantinople, much to the joy of his men.

Maurice in Thessalonica

During the reign of Emperor Maurice, the city of Thessalonica weathered a siege by Avars and Slavs, by relying on help from pagan magics.

John the comedian told an apocryphal anecdote about Maurice's meeting with a clever office-seeker, as part of his stage act.

Maurice in Agent of Byzantium

Maurice's bloody overthrow at the hands of Phokas created substantial chaos throughout the Eastern Roman Empire. It was during this time that the monks at Ir-Ruhaiyeh fled a possible Persian invasion and headed to Constantinople. Among them was Mouamet, who later became a Christian saint.

See also

• Likinios, an Avtokrator of Videssos who is based closely upon Maurice.

References

Royal offices (OTL)
Preceded by Tiberios II Constantine	Byzantine Emperor 582–602	Succeeded by Phokas
Political offices (OTL)
Preceded by Imp. Caesar Flavius Tiberius Constantinus Augustus in 579, then lapsed	Consul of the Roman Empire 583	Succeeded by Lapsed, Imp. Caesar Flavius Phocas Augustus in 603