2 – Phocas (610)
Phocas was unquestionably one of the most incompetent and cruelest of the Byzantine Emperors. Khosrau II of Persia was reportedly devastated when he heard of Maurice’s death, and the relationship between the nations soon deteriorated to the point where they descended into all-out war. The Persians declared war in 603 and began their invasion of the Byzantine Empire. The conflict lasted for over a quarter of a century and weakened the Sassanid Empire to the point where it was easy pickings for the invading Arabs.
The war proved costly while Phocas distinguished himself through his complete inability to rule an empire. He quickly became unpopular and in 608, Heraclius, the Exarch of Africa, and his son, also called Heraclius, started a rebellion against the tyrannical leader. It was at this stage that Phocas ordered the execution of Constantina and her daughters. The younger Heraclius responded by planning an invasion of the Byzantine Empire.
In 610, the younger Heraclius reached the region near Constantinople. The panic-stricken Phocas knew the game was up when most of his forces abandoned him. Heraclius easily defeated the rest of Phocas’ resistance and several Byzantine aristocrats approached him with an offer to make him Emperor. By the time Heraclius reached the capital, Priscus, the son-in-law of Phocas, switched sides and brought the imperial guard with him.
Phocas was captured, and according to legend, he was brought to Heraclius who said: “Is this how you ruled wretch?” Phocas replied: “And you will rule better?” Apparently, this response angered Heraclius who beheaded Phocas there and then. However, other sources suggest that Phocas was executed at a later date. His body was mutilated, paraded around Constantinople and burned. In the end, Heraclius was a vastly superior Emperor.