Byzantine Heraclius & Heraclius Constantine AD 610-641 Gold Solidus Constantinople

Byzantine Heraclius & Heraclius Constantine AD 610-641 Gold Solidus

Constantinople

4.39g, 22mm

Byzantine Heraclius, Heraclius Constantine, Herclonas AD 610-641

Heraclius was one of the greatest of the Byzantine rulers as well as the founder of a remarkable dynasty. Under the previous emperor, Phocas, the empire dissolved into Civil War and came close to complete disintegration being threatened on all sides. In AD 608 Heraclius, who at that time was the Exarch of Carthage, raised a rebellion against Phocas. Two years later Heraclius Constanine, son of Heraclius, reached Constantinople executing Phocas and putting an end to his reign.
Heraclius was crowned emperor in AD 610 and his first task was to reorganize the administration. A system of military government was introduced which extended across the empire eventually forming the backbone of the Byzantine State. Heraclius also changed the official language of the empire from Latin to Greek. In AD 622 Heraclius began a counter offensive against his enemies. Often leading his troops in battle the Avars were eventually driven back from Constantinople with both their fleet and army being virtually annihilated. The Persians as well as the Sassanian Empire, both great rivals, were also thrown back and their king Khusru II was deposed and murdered. Amidst great rejoicing Heraclius reinstated the Holy Cross to Jerusalem.
The sons of Heraclius, Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas, were made associate emperors in AD 613 and AD 638 respectively. This aureus depicts the 3 emperors and was minted shortly before Heraclius died in AD 641.
Heraclius lived long enough to see some of his work undone as the closing years of his reign saw the first dynamic expansion of Muslim power with the loss of Syria and Palestine.