Tragic Byzantine commander

According to one account, Heraclius confronted Phocas at his execution, accusing him of tyranny and asking him, "Is it in this manner that you have governed the state?" Going out in defiant style, Phocas pointedly retorted, "Will you be able to do any better?" Indeed, up through...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:MHQ : the quarterly journal of military history 2002-10, Vol.15 (1), p.42
Main Author: Metzger, Scott Alan
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
7th century
Arab people
Byzantine civilization
Centuries
Politics
Provinces
Roman civilization
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:According to one account, Heraclius confronted Phocas at his execution, accusing him of tyranny and asking him, "Is it in this manner that you have governed the state?" Going out in defiant style, Phocas pointedly retorted, "Will you be able to do any better?" Indeed, up through 610 there was nothing in Heraclius' career that distinguished him from countless other military adventurers who had come before him and would continue to come after him, taking advantage of family position and a convenient political crisis to seize the imperial throne. [...]Monophysite-leaning provinces were more subject to rebellions. [...]many eastern provinces were permanently stripped away by the rising Arab empire. [...]his successes as a military commander were lessenedby his political failings.
ISSN:1040-5992