Heraclius the Elder

Heraclius the Elder ( † about 611 in Carthage ) was the father of the Byzantine emperor Heraclius. He was probably a native Armenians and the first recorded members of the Herakleischen dynasty, which was 711 to an end with the assassination of Tiberius, the six- year-old son of Justinian II.

Heraclius the Elder served as a general under Maurikios and successfully fought under General Philippikos to the Byzantine eastern frontier against the Persians, where he served among other things as military chief. 587 he took over for some time in command of the troops stationed there and put the discipline in the army restores, 589 he defeated a Persian army near Nisibis. Subsequently, he was appointed Master of the Soldiers by Armeniam ( chief commander in the military district of Armenia, about 595 ). Some time later, probably still under Maurikios, but perhaps only under Phocas, the Maurikios 602 had fallen, he was Exarch of Africa ( see Exarchate of Carthage ). As opposition parties from the capital Constantinople Opel contact with Heraclius recordings - they were dissatisfied with the described as tyrannical reign of Emperor Phocas - posted Heraclius the Elder his son, also named Heraclius, to Constantinople Opel while Nicetas, a relative of the exarch, Egypt occupied. Soon after the overthrow of Phocas, Heraclius the Elder died in Carthage.