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Description
Picture of Flavius Heraclius Augustus (c. 575- 11 february 641) was the emperor of Eastern Roman/Byzantine Empire (from 610-641) and founder of Heraclian dynasty (610- 711, ended with Justinian II. Rhinotmetos/ Slit-nosed).

Heraclius was responsible for introducing greek as the official language for the empire (they used greek already,however in official circles was still dominand latin). His rise to power began in 608 when he and his father (also Heraclius,the exarch ((governor)) of Africa) led a revolt against unpopular emperor Phocas.

When Heraclius came to power the empire was threatened on multiple frontiers. Immediately took charge of Byzantine forces against Sassanid Persia. The war's (602-628) first battles ended in defeat for Romans. The Persians managed to capture defacto whole eastern side of the empire and only impenetrable walls of Constantinople were able to stop the invasion. However Byzantine navy was strong (with help of secret weapon of Greek fire ((fire what burned on water)) managed to repel the invaders. Soon after this Heraclius reformed,rebuild and strengthen the military forces. Drove Persians out of Asia Minor (nowdays Turkey) and pushed deep into their territory,defeating them decisively in 627 at the battle of Niniveh. The Persian king Khosrau II. was overthrown and executed by his son Kavadh II, who wanted peace and agreed to withdraw from all occupied territory.

However Heraclius soon experienced a new threat. In 629,the Islamic prophet Muhammad succeeded in unifying all the nomadic tribes of the Arabian Peninsula. Those tribes had previously been too divided to pose a serious challenge to both-Persians and Romans. Now unified by their new religion they comprised one of the most powerful states in the region.
First conflict against Byzantines was in 629-battle of Mu'tah. Small skirmish forces attacked Roman army and were easily repulsed,because of this there was no apparent reason to strenght borders. Also Romans had little preceding battlefield experience with Arabs ,even the Strategicon of Maurice (manual of war,praised for the variety of enemies it covers) does not mention warfare against Arabs at all.
In 630 marched Arabian forces and conquered lands in Levant. In battle of Yarmouk (636) resulted crushing defeat of the larger Byzantine army and within 3 years,the Holy Land was once again lost. By the time Heraclius' death in Constantinople,most of Egypt had fallen. In his last moments Heraclius thought he was abandonned by God.

Accomplishments: Although the territorial gains produced by his defeat of Persians were lost to Muslim conquest, Heraclius still ranks among the greatest Roman emperors. His reforms and government reduced corruption, reorganized military with great success. Ultimately, the reformed Imperial army halted Muslims in Asia Minor and Carthage (nowdays Tunis) for another 60 years,saving core provinces and strenghted borders.

For recovering True Cross from Persian hands and reclaiming Holy Land is unnoficially known as the First Crusader.

Heraclius tried to repair the schism in Christian church in regard to Monophysites, The Church of the East (Nestorians) thus made Monothelitism doctrine. Eventually, however, this project of unity was rejected by all sides.

Family: Heraclius was married twice-first to Fabia Eudokia and then to his niece Martina. He had two children with Fabia and atleast nine with Martina,most of whom were sickly.
Two of his children would become emperors: Heraclius Constantine (Constantine III,son from Fabia Eudokia.) and Constantine Heraclius (Heraklonas,Martina's son).

Description
Picture of Flavius Heraclius Augustus (c. 575- 11 february 641) was the emperor of Eastern Roman/Byzantine Empire (from 610-641) and founder of Heraclian dynasty (610- 711, ended with Justinian II. Rhinotmetos/ Slit-nosed).

Heraclius was responsible for introducing greek as the official language for the empire (they used greek already,however in official circles was still dominand latin). His rise to power began in 608 when he and his father (also Heraclius,the exarch ((governor)) of Africa) led a revolt against unpopular emperor Phocas.

When Heraclius came to power the empire was threatened on multiple frontiers. Immediately took charge of Byzantine forces against Sassanid Persia. The war's (602-628) first battles ended in defeat for Romans. The Persians managed to capture defacto whole eastern side of the empire and only impenetrable walls of Constantinople were able to stop the invasion. However Byzantine navy was strong (with help of secret weapon of Greek fire ((fire what burned on water)) managed to repel the invaders. Soon after this Heraclius reformed,rebuild and strengthen the military forces. Drove Persians out of Asia Minor (nowdays Turkey) and pushed deep into their territory,defeating them decisively in 627 at the battle of Niniveh. The Persian king Khosrau II. was overthrown and executed by his son Kavadh II, who wanted peace and agreed to withdraw from all occupied territory.

However Heraclius soon experienced a new threat. In 629,the Islamic prophet Muhammad succeeded in unifying all the nomadic tribes of the Arabian Peninsula. Those tribes had previously been too divided to pose a serious challenge to both-Persians and Romans. Now unified by their new religion they comprised one of the most powerful states in the region.
First conflict against Byzantines was in 629-battle of Mu'tah. Small skirmish forces attacked Roman army and were easily repulsed,because of this there was no apparent reason to strenght borders. Also Romans had little preceding battlefield experience with Arabs ,even the Strategicon of Maurice (manual of war,praised for the variety of enemies it covers) does not mention warfare against Arabs at all.
In 630 marched Arabian forces and conquered lands in Levant. In battle of Yarmouk (636) resulted crushing defeat of the larger Byzantine army and within 3 years,the Holy Land was once again lost. By the time Heraclius' death in Constantinople,most of Egypt had fallen. In his last moments Heraclius thought he was abandonned by God.

Accomplishments: Although the territorial gains produced by his defeat of Persians were lost to Muslim conquest, Heraclius still ranks among the greatest Roman emperors. His reforms and government reduced corruption, reorganized military with great success. Ultimately, the reformed Imperial army halted Muslims in Asia Minor and Carthage (nowdays Tunis) for another 60 years,saving core provinces and strenghted borders.

For recovering True Cross from Persian hands and reclaiming Holy Land is unnoficially known as the First Crusader.

Heraclius tried to repair the schism in Christian church in regard to Monophysites, The Church of the East (Nestorians) thus made Monothelitism doctrine. Eventually, however, this project of unity was rejected by all sides.

Family: Heraclius was married twice-first to Fabia Eudokia and then to his niece Martina. He had two children with Fabia and atleast nine with Martina,most of whom were sickly.
Two of his children would become emperors: Heraclius Constantine (Constantine III,son from Fabia Eudokia.) and Constantine Heraclius (Heraklonas,Martina's son).