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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 of the old Roman 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 of the 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 began to conquer the territory that was secured at a great cost only recently by Justinian. In the east, the situation had reached a crisis point. In order to concentrate on the conquest of the west, Justinian had paid a hefty tribute to the Persians<ref>Treadgold, Warren T. A History of the Byzantine State and Society (Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1997), p 198</ref>. When his successor, refused to pay, they invaded and overran many provinces, such was the scale of the defeat that Justin II became mentally unbalanced. His successor Tiberius II stabilized the situation and he managed to halt the Persians. While he was diverted in the east an alliance of Avars 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>.

==The reign importance of the Byzantine Empire, the successor of Rome, is increasingly being recognized by historians. One of the most important turning points in the Byzantine Empire's history was Emperor Maurice==Maurice was born in Cappadocia 's fall (modern Turkey539-602 AD) and came from . He is not a Greek-speaking familywell—known emperor or one that has entered into the popular consciousness. He His reign, which was connected to Tiberius II and went to Constantinople to serve at first very successful, ended in a catastrophe for the army <ref>Chisholm, Hugh, edemperor and his realm. (" Maurice, East 's fall and deposition ushered in over a century where it seemed that the Byzantine state would suffer the same fate as the Western Roman emperor"Empire. Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.) (Cambridge, Cambridge University PressMaurice’s death directly led to a 26-year war with the Sassanian Empire in Persia that weakened the Byzantines. 1911), pThis war had two critical repercussions that changed history. 1</ref>. When Tiberius ascended The first challenge was that the throne, he was appointed as head Arabs were able to annex much of the Imperial BodyguardByzantine Empire's eastern provinces. The new Emperor clearly recognized the potential of the young manArabs then Islamized this entire region. In The second was that Slavs overran the east the situation was disastrousBalkans provinces, and the Persians were seizing land and citiesthese areas have remained Slavic to this day. Maurice was given command  ====Background====The Byzantine Empire in the 6th century controlled roughly the eastern half of the eastold Roman Empire. The Western Roman territories had been predominantly partitioned between Germanic kingdoms. Justinian II sought to restore the Roman Empire, despite having only limited military experience and soon proved himself to be a talented general <ref>Chisholmhe reconquered North Africa, Italy, p 2</ref>and parts of Spain. In 582 Maurice was able to secure a resounding victory over a massive Persian invasion armyHowever, Justinian had fatally overstretched the resources of the Empire. Soon after Tiberius sickened This and as he lay on a terrible plague weakened his bed, he appointed Maurice as his heirrealms. He later married the daughter of Tiberius His successor Justin II and was crowned Emperor. He was faced with a series of crises, that threatened the Empire <ref>Norwich, Johndaunting challenges. Byzantium:  The Early Centuries (London: Viking, 1988), 145</ref>Lombard’s invaded Italy and began to conquer the territory secured at a high cost recently by Justinian. The new general in In the east was incompetent and he was quickly defeated by , the Persianssituation had reached a crisis point. In To concentrate on the Balkans conquest of the Avars and Slavs continued west, Justinian had paid a hefty tribute to advance and in Italy, the Lombard’s pushed Persians<ref>Treadgold, Warren T. A History of the Byzantines into the heel Byzantine State and toe of Italy. Maurice proved himself an energetic ruler. He created two administrations Society (ExchartesStanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1997) in North Africa and Italy, under governors with a great deal of autonomy and this stabilized the situation in these provincesp 198</ref>. Maurice then fought  When his successor refused to pay, they invaded and overran many provinces; such was the Persians in defeat's scale that Justin II became mentally unbalanced. His successor Tiberius II stabilized the east for several years situation, and inflicted a number of devastating victories on he managed to halt the SassaniansPersians. These defeats led to While he was diverted in the overthrow east, an alliance of Avars and Slavs tribes began to infiltrate the Persian ‘’King Balkan provinces, especially after the fall of the key fortress of Kings’’ Smirnium. Tiberius IIs armies were overstretched and could not contain the Slavs and his son Avars and heir was forced to flee to the Byzantine court for protectionEmpire, who slowly began to annex Imperial territory.<ref>NorwichTreadgold, p 141201</ref>.  ==Who was Emperor Maurice protected the young man, who would later become Khosrau II. He used Byzantine forces to restore the young Persian to his father’s throne?==[[File:Maurice Two. jpg|250px|thumbnail|left| Reconstruction of a Slavic Fort]]Maurice had transformed the situation was born in the east, Cappadocia (modern Turkey) and came from a grateful Khosrau II conceded territories Greek-speaking family. He was connected to Tiberius II and fortresses went to Constantinople to serve in the Byzantines and even was adopted by Mauricearmy <ref>Chisholm, Hugh, ed. Many Persian nobles were unhappy at this and believed that their Empire was merely a dependency of the hated Christians("Maurice, East Roman emperor. Maurice then turned his attention to the Balkans and confronted the Avars and the Slavs who had stealthily occupied large swathes of Imperial territory" Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed. He began to campaign in the Balkans and recaptured key cities and fortresses) (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. 1911), p. 1</ref>. He inflicted several defeats on When Tiberius ascended the Slavs and the Avars by using cavalry and ambushes to great effect<ref>Treagoldthrone, p 217</ref>. The Emperor he was very cautious, and this reduced appointed as head of the Imperial Bodyguard. The new Emperor recognized the effectiveness potential of the Slavs guerrilla tacticsyoung man. Maurice also raided deep into Avar In the east, the situation was disastrous, and Slav territory the Persians were seizing land and this kept these groups on the defensivecities. He even campaigned beyond  Maurice was given the Danubeeast command, the first Emperor despite having only limited military experience and soon proved himself to do so in be a century. By 595 Maurice had neutralized the Avar and the Slav threat and also defeated the Gepidstalented general <ref>Chisholm, p 2</ref>. Despite his many victories the Emperor In 582, Maurice was not popular with able to secure a resounding victory over a massive Persian invasion army. Soon after Tiberius sickened and as he lay on his soldiers nor his subjects <ref>Norwich, p 134 </ref>bed, he appointed Maurice as his heir. The Emperor was very much concerned with He later married the finances daughter of the Empire and he refused to ‘buy’ the support of his soldiers and the general populationTiberius II and was crowned Emperor. He was perceived as being mean-spirited and hated for his oppressive taxes. This was necessary given faced with a series of crises that threatened the precarious state of the Imperial financesEmpire. Moreover<ref>Norwich, Maurice neglected the internal affairs of the cities. John. Byzantium: The Early Centuries (London: Viking, 1988), 145</ref> The ‘Blues’ and new general in the ‘Greens’ factions were divided by their loyalty to rival chariot teams in east was incompetent, and the Persians quickly defeated him. In the Hippodrome<ref> NorwichBalkans, p 89</ref>. They had been powerful street gangsthe Avars and Slavs continued to advance, and in Italy, the Lombards pushed the past had even defied Byzantines into the great Justinianheel and toe of Italy. The absence of Mauriceproved himself an energetic ruler. He created two administrations (Exchartes) in North Africa and Italy, on campaigns meant that under governors with a great deal of autonomy, which stabilized the situation in these provinces. Maurice then fought the Persians in the Blues east for several years and inflicted several devastating victories on the Greens began Sassanians. These defeats led to renew their old conflict the overthrow of the Persian ‘’King of Kings’’ and many cities became lawless. The Emperor drove his soldiers hard son and did not spare them, in peace or war. In 602 AD, the army heir was driven forced to mutiny. Maurice had refused flee to pay a ransom the Byzantine court for some Byzantine troops that had been captured by protection.<ref>Norwich, p 141</ref>  Maurice protected the Avarsyoung man, who subsequently killed themwould later become Khosrau II. In He used Byzantine forces to restore the bitterly cold winter of 602, he ordered young Persian to his army to camp beyond the Danube father’s throne. Maurice had transformed the situation in the east. A grateful Khosrau II conceded territories and would not let them retire fortresses to their winter quartersthe Byzantines and even was adopted by Maurice. The army, who had not been paid mutinied Many Persian nobles were unhappy at this and proclaimed believed that their Empire was merely a general, Phocas as Emperordependency of the hated Christians. Maurice was forced then turned his attention to abdicate, the Balkans and he was later beheaded after being forced to watch confronted the torture Avars and death of his sons<ref>Norwich, p 137</ref>the Slavs who had stealthily occupied large swathes of Imperial territory. [[File:Maurice TwoHe began to campaign in the Balkans and recaptured key cities and fortresses.jpg|200px|thumb|left| Reconstruction of a Slavic Fort]]He inflicted several defeats on the Slavs and the Avars by using cavalry and ambushes to significant effect.<ref>Treagold, p 217</ref> == The Persian-Byzantine War ==The death of Maurice Emperor was to change very cautious, and this reduced the dynamic effectiveness of Persian-Byzantine relations, Khosrau II had been adopted by the Slavs guerrilla tactics. Maurice also raided deep into Avar and his deposition meant that he could legitimately wage a war of revenge against Phocas. The new Byzantine Emperor was incompetent and brutalSlav territory, and the elite despised himthis kept these groups on the defensive. The Persians invaded He even campaigned beyond the eastern provinces of the EmpireDanube, relatively unopposed. This was the start of first Emperor to do so in a 26-year war between century. By 595, Maurice had neutralized the Empires. The Byzantine army was demoralized Avar and leaderless the Slav threat and they were soon also defeatedthe Gepids. Phocas rule was tyrannical and law and order collapsed in Despite his many areas. The armies of Khosrau II occupied Syriavictories, Palestine, Armenia and entered Egypt by 608 ADthe Emperor was neither popular with his soldiers nor his subjects. Phocas was eventually deposed by Heraculus<ref>Norwich, who p 134 </ref> The Emperor was to eventually save very much concerned with the Empire. He defeated a siege of Byzantium 's finances, and later launched a counter-attack that led he refused to ‘buy’ the defeat support of Khosrau II , his soldiers and the recapture of all the lost Byzantine provincesgeneral population. However, the Orthodox Christian Empire He was severely weakened and was only a shadow of what it had been in 600 AD perceived as being mean-spirited and this was important repercussions hated for his oppressive taxes. These taxes were necessary given the future precarious state of Europe and the Middle EastImperial finances. If  Moreover, Maurice had lived and passed neglected the throne to one internal affairs of his sons, the mutually ruinous conflict between Byzantine cities. The ‘Blues’ and Sassanian could have been avoidedthe ‘Greens’ factions were divided by their loyalty to rival chariot teams in the Hippodrome.<ref> Norwich, p 89</ref> They had been powerful street gangs, and in the past, had even defied the great Justinian. [[File:Maurice Three's absence on campaigns meant that the Blues and the Greens began to renew their old conflict and many cities became lawless.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Modern portrait of The Emperor Phocas based on drove his portrait on coins]]==The Arab Invasions==The Prophet Muhammad unified the disparate soldiers hard and feuding Arab tribes and transformed them into a formidable fighting forcedid not spare them, in peace or war. In 629 602 AD, the Prophet called for a Jihad against the Byzantine and Persian Empires. The Emperor Heraclius army was compelled to mutiny.  Maurice had not been able refused to consolidate pay a ransom for some Byzantine power in troops captured by the areas that had been occupied by Khorsau IIAvars, who subsequently killed them. At In the battle bitterly cold winter of Yarmouk602, the he ordered his army of to camp beyond the Christian Empire was decisively defeated by the MuslimsDanube and would not let them retire to their winter quarters. This led to the loss of Palestine, including the Holy City of Jerusalem The military mutinied and Syria. By 642 ADproclaimed a general, Egypt was also conquered by the Arab armiesPhocas, who by 660 as Emperor because they had captured North Africanot been paid. The collapse of Byzantine power in these areas Maurice was forced to abdicate, and he was remarkably swift. This was a result later beheaded after being forced to watch the torture and death of the brutal conflict between the Persians and the Byzantines that had broken out after the fall of Maurice his sons. The Arab conquests had been greatly facilitated by the usurpation of Phocas and his disastrous reign. If <ref>Norwich, p 137</ref> <dh-ad/> ==How did Maurice had lived 's death lead to the Byzantine’s would have been in a better position to withstand the Arab onslaught <ref> Kennedy, H., The Prophet and the age Persian-Byzantine War? ==[[File:Maurice Three.jpg|250px|thumbnail|left|Modern portrait of the Caliphates: the Islamic Near East from the sixth Emperor Phocas based on his portrait on coins]]Maurice's death was to change the eleventh century (Londondynamic of Persian-Byzantine relations, RoutledgeMaurice had adopted Khosrau II, 2015), p 178</ref>and his deposition meant that he could legitimately wage a war of revenge against Phocas. This could have ensured that SyriaThe new Byzantine Emperor was incompetent and brutal, and the elite despised him. The Persians invaded the Palestine and North Africa would have remained part eastern provinces of the Empire and part of the Christian World. Instead these areas came under Arab control and eventually became , relatively unopposed.largely Muslim. ==The Slavs in the Balkans==The army in This signaled the Balkans had to be moved to start of a 26-year war between the east to counter the growing Persian threat after Maurice’s brutal executionEmpires. The The Persian invasions forced Emperor Heraclius to concentrate all his forces in AnatoliaByzantine army was demoralized and leaderless, and they were soon defeated. This led to the collapse of the Byzantine Balkan frontier Phocas' rule was tyrannical, and the Avars raided to the walls of Byzantium law and even took part order collapsed in the Persian siege of the city in 626 ADmany areas. The Slavic tribes who had been largely pushed back beyond the Danube troops of Khosrau II occupied Syria, Palestine, Armenia and entered Egypt by Maurice were once again able 608 AD. Phocas was eventually deposed by Heraculus, who was to enter save the Balkans, the Avars remained by Empire ultimately. He defeated a siege of Byzantium and large beyond the Danube. These tribes settled in agricultural areas later launched a counter-attack that led to Khosrau II's defeat and formed petty kingdoms<ref> Curta, Florin Southeastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 500–1250recapture of all the lost Byzantine provinces. Cambridge: Cambridge University PressHowever, 2006), p 134</ref>. They regularly raided or besieged the remaining Byzantine settlements. The result Orthodox Christian Empire was that many Greek severely weakened and Latin speakers left the area and moved to southern Italy or Asia Minor. Heraclius was only a shadow of what it had been in 600 AD, and this was an important repercussion for the future of Europe and subsequent emperors were so concerned with the Arab threat that they could not launch any meaningful counter-attack against the SlavsMiddle East. The result was that over a period of time, If Maurice had lived and passed the Slavs occupied much throne to one of his sons, the Balkans mutually ruinous conflict between Byzantine and Sassanian could have been avoided. == How did the area was only nominally under Byzantine control. This not only denied Prophet Muhammad conquer Byzantine territories in the Middle East?==The Prophet Muhammad unified the Christian Empire, resources disparate and manpower it also permanently changed feuding Arab tribes and transformed them into a formidable fighting force. In 629, the character of Prophet called for a Jihad against the area Byzantine and the regionPersian Empires. The Balkans Emperor Heraclius had not been largely Greek or Latin able to consolidate Byzantine power in character but after the 7th century it became increasingly Slavic<ref> Curtaareas that Khorsau II had occupied. At the battle of Yarmouk, p 201</ref>. This may not have occurred if Maurice had not been deposed. He was on the verge army of defeating the Slavs and their allies and close Christian Empire was decisively defeated by the Muslims. This led to subjugating them in 602 AD. If the army had not mutinied loss of Palestine, including the Holy City of Jerusalem and acclaimed Phocas as Syria. By 642 AD, Egypt was also conquered by the Arab armies, who by 660 had captured North Africa. The collapse of Byzantine power in these areas was remarkably swift. This resulted from the brutal conflict between the Persians and the Byzantines that had broken out after the fall of Maurice.  The Arab conquests were facilitated by the usurpation of Phocas and his disastrous reign. If Maurice had lived, the Byzantine’s would have been in a better position to withstand the Arab onslaught.<ref> Kennedy, H., The Prophet and the age of the Caliphates: The Islamic Near East from the sixth to the eleventh century (London, Routledge, 2015), p 178</ref> This could have ensured that Syria, Palestine, and North Africa would have remained part of the Empire and part of the Christian World. Instead, these areas came under Arab control and eventually became largely Muslim. ==Why did the Slavs in the Balkans attack Byzantine settlements?==The Balkans army had to be moved to the east to counter the growing Persian threat after Maurice’s brutal execution. The Persian invasions forced Emperor, the Slavs could have been kept out of the BalkansHeraclius to concentrate all his forces in Anatolia. This led to the collapse of the Byzantine Balkan frontier, and the Avars raided the walls of Byzantium and even took part in the Persian siege of the city in 626 AD. The Slavic tribes who had been largely pushed back beyond the Danube 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 134</ref> They regularly raided or besieged the remaining Byzantine settlements. The result was that many Greek and Latin speakers left the area and moved to southern Italy or Asia Minor. Heraclius and subsequent 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, and 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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