European Kingdoms

Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire
Non-Dynastic (AD 602-610)

Rome Aquitani Tribes Canaanite States Celtic Tribes Classical Colonies Germanic Tribes Iberian Tribes Mesopotamian States Syrian States

From the start, the capital of the newly-created Eastern Roman empire was based at Constantinople, dedicated by Emperor Constantine 'the Great' in AD 330. In AD 395, the Roman empire finally suffered a permanent split, creating formal Eastern Roman and Western Roman empires within Europe and beyond, acknowledging what had existed in practise for many years.

The 'Dynasty of Justinian' succeeded the 'Dynasty of Leo' in AD 518. As the western empire had declined and faded in the face of increasing barbarian incursions and settlement, the eastern empire had survived and recovered from fourth and early fifth century instability. The empire even flourished, experiencing a golden age under Justinian I which saw territory expanded into Western Europe.

After his death much of that expansion began to be reversed. The Langobards invaded Italy, beginning a weakening of Eastern Roman power from their base at Ravenna. The Avars arrived to the north of the Pontic steppe, and they started a process of pressuring Roman borders in an already highly-fragmented political landscape in the region.

The Bulgars formed two large mobile units around this time which Emperor Maurice used as counters against Avar expansion, but the empire was now in a constant state of financial difficulty. In 602 General Phocas was so dissatisfied with the state of affairs that he usurped the imperial throne after being sent to Constantinople in the role of spokesman for rebellious troops.

Maurice and his six sons were executed and Phocus became the first Eastern Roman 'Non-Dynastic' ruler in his brief attempt to resolve the situation. The event proved to be a disaster for the empire. It sparked a devastating war with the Sassanids - who had seen Maurice as an ally - and a Jewish revolt in Palestine.

The latter helped to divert troops from dealing with the former. Phocas also agreed to pay an increased tribute to the Avars to keep them quiet. He persecuted the miaphysite Christian sect and the Jews, earning increased enmity in the eastern provinces, and grew increasingly tyrannical in the capital.

By the time the Sassanids had entered Palestine to provide the revolt with full military support, the unfortunate General Phocas had been removed from office as part of a revolt by the son of the disaffected exarch of Africa. He was replaced by the more capable 'Dynasty of Heraclius'.

Principal author(s): Page created: Page last updated:

(Information by Peter Kessler, with additional information from The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium: Niketas, Walter Emil Kaegi (Alexander P Kazhdan, Ed, Oxford University Press, 1991), from The Cambridge Ancient History, John Boardman, N G L Hammond, D M Lewis, & M Ostwald (Eds), and from External Links: History of the Byzantine Empire (Live Science), and The Cambridge History of the Byzantine Empire, Jonathan Shepard (Ed, Revised Edition, Cambridge University Press, 2008, and available via the Internet Archive), and Jewish Heritage Cultural Routes in Georgia, and History of the Later Roman Empire, John Bagnall Bury (Dover Books, 1958, reprint of the original 1923 work, available via the Bill Thayer Site), and Phocas (Encyclopaedia Britannica).)

602 - 610

Usurper of the Justinian dynasty. Overthrown.

early 600s

The empire loses the territory of Epirus to Slavic migrant settlers. The Eastern Romans do recover it, but not until 916 and then it is lost again in 988 to Bulgaria.

607 - 616

The Sassanids invade and conquer Eastern Roman Syria, Egypt, and Anatolia as part of the Byzantine-Sassanid War of 602-628. The trigger had been the usurpation of the throne by Phocas, but Sassanid successes provide their own incentive to continue.

The coming of the Sassanids as replacements for the Parthians meant an entirely new and more vigorous empire being created in the north-western borders of Saka-controlled lands

608 - 610

In conjunction with his son, Heraclius 'the Younger', Exarch Heraclius of Africa revolts against the usurper Phocas. The younger Heraclius uses Africa as a base from which he is able to overthrow Phocas and begin his own Heraclian dynasty in Constantinople. His father passes away shortly after learning the good news.