Heraclius the Elder

Heraclius the Elder
Gold solidus struck during the revolt of the Heraclii, depicting Heraclius the Elder and his son, the future Emperor Heraclius, wearing consular robes.
Died610
AllegianceByzantine Empire
RankMagister militum per Armeniam, patrikios, Exarch of Africa
Battles / warsByzantine–Sasanian War of 572–591
Spouse(s)Epiphania
ChildrenHeraclius
Theodore
Maria
RelationsEmperor Heraclius (son)

Heraclius the Elder (Greek: Ἡράκλειος, Herákleios; died 610) was a Byzantine Roman general and the father of Byzantine Roman emperor Heraclius (r. 610–641). [1][2] Heraclius the Elder distinguished himself in the war against the Sassanid Persians in the 580s. As a subordinate general (or hypostrategos), Heraclius served under the command of Philippicus during the Battle of Solachon and possibly served under Comentiolus during the Battle of Sisarbanon. Circa 595, Heraclius the Elder is mentioned as a magister militum per Armeniam sent by Emperor Maurice (r. 582–602) to quell an Armenian rebellion led by Samuel Vahewuni and Atat Khorkhoruni. Circa 600, he was appointed as the Exarch of Africa and in 608, he rebelled with his son against the usurper Phocas (r. 602–610). Using North Africa as a base, the younger Heraclius managed to overthrow Phocas, beginning the Heraclian dynasty, which would rule Byzantium for a century. Heraclius the Elder died soon after receiving news of his son's accession to the Byzantine throne.

  1. ^ Evans, Helen C. (2018). Armenia: Art, Religion, and Trade in the Middle Ages. Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-58839-660-0.
  2. ^ Kaegi 2003, pp. 21–22.