Heraclius the Elder
| Heraclius the Elder | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | East Roman Empire |
| Rank | magister militum per Armeniam, patrikios, Exarch of Africa |
| Battles/wars | Byzantine–Sassanid War of 572–591 |
| Spouse(s) | Epiphania |
| Relations | Emperor Heraclius |
Heraclius the Elder (Latin: Heraclius; Greek: Ἡράκλειος; died 610) was an East Roman (Byzantine) general and the father of Byzantine emperor Heraclius (r. 610–641). Of possible Armenian origin, 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. In 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. In circa 600, he was appointed as the Exarch of Africa and in 608, Heraclius the Elder 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.
Heraclius the Elder was possibly of Armenian origin and presumably bilingual (Armenian and Greek) at an early age. His origin is deduced by a passage of Theophylact Simocatta, which considers him a native of Byzantine Armenia. Heraclius the Elder's own city is not specifically mentioned. Mary and Michael Whitby suggest that Heraclius the Elder was at the time the magister militum per Armeniam. If so, "his city" was Theodosiopolis (modern Erzurum), the headquarters of the Roman forces in Armenia. As the chief military stronghold along the northeastern border of the empire, Theodosiopolis held an important strategic location that was contested in wars between the Byzantines and Persians. Emperors Anastasius I (r. 491–518) and Justinian I (r. 527–565) both refortified the city and built new defenses during their reigns.
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