Heraclius[A 1] (Greek:ἩράκλειοςHērákleios; c. 575 – 11 February 641), wasEastern Roman emperor from 610 to 641. His rise to power began in 608, when he and his father,Heraclius the Elder, theexarch of Africa, led arevolt againstPhocas, an unpopular emperor. Later in Heraclius' reign officialy used "Basileus" partially replacing the traditional "Imperator, Caesar and Augustus". He placed Greek as the official languange of the Eastern Roman Empire in place of Latin and even promoting Greek Culture but nevertheless had kept much of ancient roman traditions.
Heraclius's rule was marked by a number ofmilitary campaigns. The year Heraclius came to power, the empire was threatened on many sides. Heraclius immediately took charge of theByzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628. The first fights of the campaign ended in defeat for the Byzantines; the Persian army fought their way to theBosphorus butConstantinople was protected by unbreakable walls and a strong navy, and Heraclius was able to avoid total defeat. Soon after, he started changes to rebuild and strengthen the military. Heraclius drove the Persians out ofAsia Minor and pushed deep into theirterritory, defeating them clearly in 627 at theBattle of Nineveh. The Persian kingKhosrow II was overthrown andexecuted by his sonKavad II, who soonsued [en] for apeace treaty, agreeing to withdraw from alloccupied territory. This waydiplomatic relations were restored.
However, Heracliussoon lost many of his newly regained lands to theRashidun Caliphate. Newly appearing from theArabian Peninsula, the Muslims quickly won theSasanian Empire by force. In 636, the Muslims marched intoRoman Syria, defeating Heraclius's brotherTheodore. Within a short period of time, the Arabs conqueredMesopotamia,Armenia andEgypt. Heraclius responded with changes which let his successors fight the Arabs and avoid total destruction.
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