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==Introduction==The importance of the Byzantine Empire, the successor of Rome, is increasingly being recognized by historians. One of the most important turning points in the history of the Byzantine Empire, was the fall of the Emperor Maurice (539-602 AD). He is a not a well—known emperor, or one that has entered into the popular consciousness. His reign, which was at first very successful, ended in a catastrophe for the emperor and his realm. The fall and deposition of Maurice was to usher in over a century where it seemed that the Byzantine state would suffer the same fate as the Western Roman Empire. Maurice’s death directly led to a 26-year war with the Sassanian Empire in Persia that weakened the Byzantines. This had two important repercussions, that changed history. The first was that the Arabs, were able to annex much of the eastern provinces of the Byzantine Empire, which was later Islamized. The second was that the Balkans provinces were overrun by Slavs and they have remained Slavic to this day. __NOTOC__[[File:Maurice One.png|200px250px|thumbthumbnail|left|coins Coins with the portrait of Emperor Maurice]]

==Background==The Byzantine Empire in the 6th century controlled roughly the eastern half importance of the old Roman Byzantine Empire. The Western Roman territories had been largely partitioned between Germanic kingdoms. Justinian II sought to restore the Roman Empire and he reconquered North Africa, Italy, and parts of Spain. However, Justinian had fatally overstretched the resources successor of the EmpireRome, this and a terrible plague weakened his realms. His successor Justin II was faced with a series of daunting challenges. The Lombard’s invaded Italy and began to conquer the territory that was secured at a great cost only recently is increasingly being recognized by Justinian. In the east, the situation had reached a crisis pointhistorians. In order to concentrate on the conquest One of the west, Justinian had paid a hefty tribute to the Persians<ref>Treadgold, Warren T. A History of most important turning points in the Byzantine State and Society Empire's history was Emperor Maurice's fall (Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1997539-602 AD), p 198</ref>. When his successor, refused to pay, they invaded and overran many provinces, such was the scale of He is not a well—known emperor or one that has entered into the defeat that Justin II became mentally unbalancedpopular consciousness. His successor Tiberius II stabilized the situation and he managed to halt the Persians. While he reign, which was diverted at first very successful, ended in a catastrophe for the east an alliance of Avars emperor and Slavs tribes began to infiltrate the Balkan provinces, especially after the fall of the key fortress of Smirnium. Tiberius IIs armies were overstretched and could not contain the Slavs and Avars and the Empire who began to slowly annex Imperial territory<ref> Treadgold, p 201</ref>his realm.

==The reign of Maurice==Maurice was born 's fall and deposition ushered in Cappadocia (modern Turkey) and came from over a Greek-speaking familycentury where it seemed that the Byzantine state would suffer the same fate as the Western Roman Empire. He was connected Maurice’s death directly led to Tiberius II and went to Constantinople to serve in a 26-year war with the army <ref>Chisholm, Hugh, edSassanian Empire in Persia that weakened the Byzantines. ("Maurice, East Roman emperor"This war had two critical repercussions that changed history. The first challenge was that the Arabs were able to annex much of the Byzantine Empire's eastern provinces. Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edThe Arabs then Islamized this entire region.) (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. 1911)The second was that Slavs overran the Balkans provinces, pand these areas have remained Slavic to this day. 1</ref>. When Tiberius ascended  ====Background====The Byzantine Empire in the 6th century controlled roughly the throne, he was appointed as head eastern half of the Imperial Bodyguardold Roman Empire. The new Emperor clearly recognized the potential of the young manWestern Roman territories had been predominantly partitioned between Germanic kingdoms. In Justinian II sought to restore the east the situation was disastrousRoman Empire, and the Persians were seizing land he reconquered North Africa, Italy, and citiesparts of Spain. Maurice was given command However, Justinian had fatally overstretched the resources of the east, despite having only limited military experience Empire. This and a terrible plague weakened his realms. His successor Justin II was faced with a series of daunting challenges.  The Lombard’s invaded Italy and soon proved himself began to be conquer the territory secured at a talented general high cost recently by Justinian. In the east, the situation had reached a crisis point. To concentrate on the conquest of the west, Justinian had paid a hefty tribute to the Persians<ref>ChisholmTreadgold, p 2Warren T. A History of the Byzantine State and Society (Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1997), p 198</ref>. In 582 Maurice was able  When his successor refused to secure a resounding victory over a massive Persian invasion armypay, they invaded and overran many provinces; such was the defeat's scale that Justin II became mentally unbalanced. Soon after His successor Tiberius sickened II stabilized the situation, and as he lay on his bed, managed to halt the Persians. While he appointed Maurice as his heir. He later married was diverted in the daughter east, an alliance of Tiberius II Avars and was crowned Emperor. He was faced with a series Slavs tribes began to infiltrate the Balkan provinces, especially after the fall of crises, that threatened the Empire <ref>Norwich, Johnkey fortress of Smirnium. Byzantium: The Early Centuries (London: VikingTiberius IIs armies were overstretched and could not contain the Slavs and Avars and the Empire, 1988), 145who slowly began to annex Imperial territory.<ref> Treadgold, p 201</ref>. The new general in the east  ==Who was incompetent and he was quickly defeated by the PersiansEmperor Maurice?==[[File:Maurice Two. In the Balkans the Avars and Slavs continued jpg|250px|thumbnail|left| Reconstruction of a Slavic Fort]]Maurice was born in Cappadocia (modern Turkey) and came from a Greek-speaking family. He was connected to advance Tiberius II and went to Constantinople to serve in Italy, the Lombard’s pushed the Byzantines into the heel and toe of Italyarmy <ref>Chisholm, Hugh, ed. ("Maurice proved himself an energetic ruler, East Roman emperor. He created two administrations " Encyclopædia Britannica (Exchartes11th ed.) in North Africa and Italy(Cambridge, under governors with a great deal Cambridge University Press. 1911), p. 1</ref>. When Tiberius ascended the throne, he was appointed as head of autonomy and this stabilized the situation in these provinces. Maurice then fought Imperial Bodyguard. The new Emperor recognized the potential of the Persians in young man. In the east for several years and inflicted a number of devastating victories on , the Sassanians. These defeats led to situation was disastrous, and the overthrow of the Persian ‘’King of Kings’’ Persians were seizing land and his son cities.  Maurice was given the east command, despite having only limited military experience and heir was forced soon proved himself to flee to the Byzantine court for protectionbe a talented general <ref>NorwichChisholm, p 1412</ref>. In 582, Maurice protected the young man, who would later become Khosrau II. He used Byzantine forces was able to restore the young secure a resounding victory over a massive Persian to invasion army. Soon after Tiberius sickened and as he lay on his father’s throne. bed, he appointed Maurice had transformed the situation in as his heir. He later married the east, a grateful Khosrau daughter of Tiberius II conceded territories and fortresses to the Byzantines and even was adopted by Mauricecrowned Emperor. Many Persian nobles were unhappy at this and believed that their Empire was merely He was faced with a dependency series of crises that threatened the hated ChristiansEmpire. Maurice then turned his attention to the Balkans and confronted the Avars and the Slavs who had stealthily occupied large swathes of Imperial territory<ref>Norwich, John. He began to campaign Byzantium: The Early Centuries (London: Viking, 1988), 145</ref> The new general in the Balkans east was incompetent, and recaptured key cities and fortressesthe Persians quickly defeated him. He inflicted several defeats on In the Slavs and Balkans, the Avars by using cavalry and ambushes Slavs continued to great effect<ref>Treagoldadvance, p 217</ref>. The Emperor was very cautiousand in Italy, the Lombards pushed the Byzantines into the heel and this reduced the effectiveness toe of the Slavs guerrilla tacticsItaly. Maurice also raided deep into Avar and Slav territory and this kept these groups on the defensiveproved himself an energetic ruler. He even campaigned beyond the Danubecreated two administrations (Exchartes) in North Africa and Italy, under governors with a great deal of autonomy, which stabilized the first Emperor to do so situation in a centurythese provinces. By 595 Maurice had neutralized then fought the Avar and Persians in the Slav threat east for several years and also defeated inflicted several devastating victories on the GepidsSassanians. Despite his many victories the Emperor These defeats led to the overthrow of the Persian ‘’King of Kings’’ and his son and heir was not popular with his soldiers nor his subjects <forced to flee to the Byzantine court for protection.<ref>Norwich, p 134 141</ref>. The Emperor was very much concerned with  Maurice protected the finances of young man, who would later become Khosrau II. He used Byzantine forces to restore the Empire and he refused young Persian to ‘buy’ the support of his soldiers and father’s throne. Maurice had transformed the general population. He was perceived as being mean-spirited and hated for his oppressive taxes. This was necessary given situation in the precarious state of the Imperial financeseast. Moreover, Maurice neglected A grateful Khosrau II conceded territories and fortresses to the internal affairs of the cities. The ‘Blues’ Byzantines and the ‘Greens’ factions were divided even was adopted by their loyalty to rival chariot teams in the Hippodrome<ref> Norwich, p 89</ref>Maurice. They had been powerful street gangs, and in Many Persian nobles were unhappy at this and believed that their Empire was merely a dependency of the past had even defied the great Justinianhated Christians. The absence of Maurice, on campaigns meant that then turned his attention to the Balkans and confronted the Blues Avars and the Greens Slavs who had stealthily occupied large swathes of Imperial territory. He began to renew their old conflict campaign in the Balkans and many recaptured key cities became lawlessand fortresses. The Emperor drove his soldiers hard He inflicted several defeats on the Slavs and did not spare them, in peace or warthe Avars by using cavalry and ambushes to significant effect. In 602 AD<ref>Treagold, the army p 217</ref>  The Emperor was driven to mutinyvery cautious, and this reduced the effectiveness of the Slavs guerrilla tactics. Maurice had refused to pay a ransom for some Byzantine troops that had been captured by also raided deep into Avar and Slav territory, and this kept these groups on the Avars, who subsequently killed themdefensive. In He even campaigned beyond the bitterly cold winter of 602Danube, the first Emperor to do so in a century. By 595, he ordered his army to camp beyond Maurice had neutralized the Danube Avar and would not let them retire to their winter quartersthe Slav threat and also defeated the Gepids. The armyDespite his many victories, who had not been paid mutinied and proclaimed a generalthe Emperor was neither popular with his soldiers nor his subjects.<ref>Norwich, Phocas as p 134 </ref> The Emperor. Maurice was forced to abdicatevery much concerned with the Empire's finances, and he was later beheaded after being forced refused to watch ‘buy’ the torture and death support of his sons<ref>Norwich, p 137</ref>soldiers and the general population. [[File:Maurice TwoHe was perceived as being mean-spirited and hated for his oppressive taxes.jpg|200px|thumb|left| Reconstruction These taxes were necessary given the precarious state of a Slavic Fort]]== The Persian-Byzantine War ==the Imperial finances.  Moreover, Maurice neglected the internal affairs of the cities. The death of Maurice was to change ‘Blues’ and the dynamic of Persian-Byzantine relations‘Greens’ factions were divided by their loyalty to rival chariot teams in the Hippodrome.<ref> Norwich, Khosrau II p 89</ref> They had been adopted by powerful street gangs, and in the past, had even defied the great Justinian. Maurice and his deposition 's absence on campaigns meant that he could legitimately wage a war of revenge against Phocasthe Blues and the Greens began to renew their old conflict and many cities became lawless. The new Byzantine Emperor was incompetent drove his soldiers hard and brutaldid not spare them, and the elite despised himin peace or war. The Persians invaded In 602 AD, the eastern provinces of the Empire, relatively unopposed. This army was the start of compelled to mutiny.  Maurice had refused to pay a 26-year war between ransom for some Byzantine troops captured by the EmpiresAvars, who subsequently killed them. The Byzantine In the bitterly cold winter of 602, he ordered his army was demoralized to camp beyond the Danube and leaderless and they were soon defeatedwould not let them retire to their winter quarters. The military mutinied and proclaimed a general, Phocas rule , as Emperor because they had not been paid. Maurice was tyrannical and law and order collapsed in many areas. The armies of Khosrau II occupied Syria, Palestineforced to abdicate, Armenia and entered Egypt by 608 AD. Phocas was eventually deposed by Heraculus, who he was later beheaded after being forced to eventually save watch the Empiretorture and death of his sons. He defeated a siege of Byzantium and later launched a counter<ref>Norwich, p 137</ref> <dh-attack that led ad/> ==How did Maurice's death lead to the defeat of Khosrau II , and the recapture of all the lost Persian-Byzantine provincesWar? ==[[File:Maurice Three. However, the Orthodox Christian Empire was severely weakened and was only a shadow jpg|250px|thumbnail|left|Modern portrait of what it had been in 600 AD and this Emperor Phocas based on his portrait on coins]]Maurice's death was important repercussions for to change the future dynamic of Europe and the Middle East. If Persian-Byzantine relations, Maurice had lived adopted Khosrau II, and passed the throne to one of his sons, the mutually ruinous conflict between Byzantine and Sassanian deposition meant that he could have been avoidedlegitimately wage a war of revenge against Phocas. The new Byzantine Emperor was incompetent and brutal, and the elite despised him. [[File:Maurice Three.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Modern portrait The Persians invaded the eastern provinces of Emperor Phocas based on his portrait on coins]]the Empire, relatively unopposed.  ==The Arab Invasions==The Prophet Muhammad unified This signaled the disparate and feuding Arab tribes and transformed them into start of a formidable fighting force. In 629 26-year war between the Prophet called for a Jihad against the Byzantine and Persian Empires. The Emperor Heraclius had not been able to consolidate Byzantine power in the areas that had been occupied by Khorsau II. At the battle of Yarmoukarmy was demoralized and leaderless, the army of the Christian Empire was decisively and they were soon defeated by the Muslims. This led to the loss of PalestinePhocas' rule was tyrannical, including the Holy City and law and order collapsed in many areas. The troops of Jerusalem and Khosrau II occupied Syria. By 642 AD, Palestine, Armenia and entered Egypt by 608 AD. Phocas was also conquered eventually deposed by the Arab armiesHeraculus, who by 660 had captured North Africawas to save the Empire ultimately. The collapse of Byzantine power in these areas was remarkably swift. This was He defeated a result siege of the brutal conflict between the Persians Byzantium and the Byzantines later launched a counter-attack that had broken out after led to Khosrau II's defeat and the fall recapture of Mauriceall the lost Byzantine provinces. The Arab conquests had been greatly facilitated by However, the usurpation Orthodox Christian Empire was severely weakened and was only a shadow of Phocas what it had been in 600 AD, and his disastrous reign. If this was an important repercussion for the future of Europe and the Middle East. If Maurice had lived and passed the Byzantine’s would have been in a better position throne to withstand one of his sons, the Arab onslaught <ref> Kennedy, H., The Prophet mutually ruinous conflict between Byzantine and Sassanian could have been avoided. == How did the Prophet Muhammad conquer Byzantine territories in the age of the Caliphates: the Islamic Near Middle East from ?==The Prophet Muhammad unified the sixth to disparate and feuding Arab tribes and transformed them into a formidable fighting force. In 629, the eleventh century (London, Routledge, 2015), p 178</ref>. This could have ensured that Syria, Prophet called for a Jihad against the Palestine Byzantine and North Africa would have remained part Persian Empires. Emperor Heraclius had not been able to consolidate Byzantine power in the areas that Khorsau II had occupied. At the battle of Yarmouk, the Empire and part army of the Christian World. Instead these areas came under Arab control and eventually became Empire was decisively defeated by the Muslims.largely Muslim. ==The Slavs in This led to the Balkans==The army in loss of Palestine, including the Balkans had to be moved to Holy City of Jerusalem and Syria. By 642 AD, Egypt was also conquered by the east to counter the growing Persian threat after Maurice’s brutal executionArab armies, who by 660 had captured North Africa. The Persian invasions forced Emperor Heraclius to concentrate all his forces collapse of Byzantine power in Anatoliathese areas was remarkably swift. This led to resulted from the collapse of brutal conflict between the Byzantine Balkan frontier Persians and the Avars raided to Byzantines that had broken out after the walls fall of Byzantium and even took part in the Persian siege of the city in 626 ADMaurice.  The Slavic tribes who Arab conquests were facilitated by the usurpation of Phocas and his disastrous reign. If Maurice had lived, the Byzantine’s would have been largely pushed back beyond in a better position to withstand the Danube by Maurice were once again able to enter the BalkansArab onslaught.<ref> Kennedy, H., the Avars remained by The Prophet and large beyond the Danube. These tribes settled in agricultural areas and formed petty kingdoms<ref> Curta, Florin Southeastern Europe in age of the Middle Ages, 500–1250. CambridgeCaliphates: Cambridge University PressThe Islamic Near East from the sixth to the eleventh century (London, Routledge, 20062015), p 134178</ref>. They regularly raided or besieged This could have ensured that Syria, Palestine, and North Africa would have remained part of the remaining Byzantine settlements. The result was that many Greek Empire and Latin speakers left part of the area and moved to southern Italy or Asia MinorChristian World. Heraclius Instead, these areas came under Arab control and subsequent emperors were so concerned with the Arab threat that they could not launch any meaningful counter-attack against eventually became largely Muslim. ==Why did the Slavs. in the Balkans attack Byzantine settlements?==The result was that over a period of time, Balkans army had to be moved to the Slavs occupied much of east to counter the Balkans and the area was only nominally under Byzantine controlgrowing Persian threat after Maurice’s brutal execution. The Persian invasions forced Emperor Heraclius to concentrate all his forces in Anatolia. This not only denied led to the Christian Empirecollapse of the Byzantine Balkan frontier, resources and manpower it also permanently changed the character Avars raided the walls of the area Byzantium and even took part in the region. The Balkans Persian siege of the city in 626 AD. The Slavic tribes who had been largely Greek or Latin in character but after pushed back beyond the 7th century it became increasingly SlavicDanube by Maurice were once again able to enter the Balkans. The Avars remained by and large beyond the Danube. These tribes settled in agricultural areas and formed petty kingdoms.<ref> Curta, Florin Southeastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 500–1250. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006), p 201134</ref> They regularly raided or besieged the remaining Byzantine settlements. This may not have occurred if Maurice had not been deposed. He The result was on that many Greek and Latin speakers left the verge of defeating the Slavs area and their allies and close moved to subjugating them in 602 ADsouthern Italy or Asia Minor. If the army had not mutinied Heraclius and acclaimed Phocas as Emperorsubsequent emperors were so concerned with the Arab threat that they could not launch any meaningful counter-attack against the Slavs. The result was that the Slavs occupied much of the Balkans over a period of time, and the area was only nominally under Byzantine control. This denied the Christian Empire, resources, the Slavs could have been kept out of the Balkansand manpower. It also permanently changed the character of the area and the region. The Balkans had been largely Greek or Latin in character, but it became increasingly Slavic after the 7th century.<ref> Curta, p 201</ref>  This may not have occurred if Maurice had not been deposed. He was on the verge of defeating the Slavs and their allies and close to subjugating them in 602 AD. If the army had not mutinied and acclaimed Phocas as Emperor, the Slavs could have been kept out of the Balkans. Instead, by 680 AD, they occupied nearly all of the region and permanently changed its ethnic character. Instead by 680 AD they had occupied nearly all of the region and changed its ethnic character, permanently <ref> Curta, 202</ref>.

Maurice is rightly seen as a great general and administrator, but he was uncompromising and did not attend to the interests of his soldiers and the general population's interests. Maurice removed the Persian threat and secured the eastern flank of his Empire. He was on the verge of a complete victory in the Balkans. Maurice 's inflexibility provoked a mutiny this , which led to his deposition and death. There was a dramatic shift in the fortunes of the Empire. It led to a 26-year war with Persia that grievously weakened the Empire, even though it survived. The Christian Empire went into a protracted period of decline that has been called the ‘Byzantine Dark Ages’Ages. ’ At this time , the Slavs occupied the Balkans , and the Muslims permanently seized Syria, Palestine , and North Africa. This led to enduring cultural and religious changes in these regions. The decline of Byzantium could have been avoided if Phocas had not treacherously deposed and killed Maurice. The fate of the successor of the Roman Empire 's successor shows that individual events, such as a usurpation , can change the fate of even radically alter a great statesempire's future.  ====Recommended Reading====

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