On This Day
·

Byzantine emperor Heraclius restores the True Cross to Jerusalem

Heraclius was Byzantine emperor from 610 to 641. His rise to power began in 608, when he and his father, Heraclius the Elder, the Exarch of Africa, led a revolt against the unpopular emperor...

Heraclius was Byzantine emperor from 610 to 641. His rise to power began in 608, when he and his father, Heraclius the Elder, the Exarch of Africa, led a revolt against the unpopular emperor Phocas.

Heraclius's reign was marked by wars against the Persians and the Arabs. Heraclius immediately took charge of the Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628 upon his accession, but his leadership initially did little to stem Persian ascendency in the war; after personally losing the Battle of Antioch (613), the Persians were able to take Syria and Egypt, reducing the Empire to Asia Minor. Heraclius, however, was able to avoid total defeat, and he initiated reforms to rebuild and strengthen the military.

Historical Significance

Heraclius was Byzantine emperor from 610 to 641.

Events Before

  1. Incident at Xuanwu Gate: Prince Li Shimin ambushes and kills his rivals, the brothers Li Yuanji and Li Jiancheng, sons o

    Incident at Xuanwu Gate: Prince Li Shimin ambushes and kills his rivals, the brothers Li Yuanji and Li Jiancheng, sons of Emperor Gaozu; he then forces the emperor to name him as successor to the throne

  2. Avars under Khagan Bayan begin the siege of Constantinople, which fails, preserving the Eastern Roman Empire

    Avars under Khagan Bayan begin the siege of Constantinople, which fails, preserving the Eastern Roman Empire

  3. Battle of Nineveh: Byzantine Emperor Heraclius' Byzantine army heavily defeats Persian forces during the Byzantine–Sasan

    Battle of Nineveh: Byzantine Emperor Heraclius' Byzantine army heavily defeats Persian forces during the Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628

  4. Anglo-Saxon king Edwin of Northumbria converts to Christianity, baptized by Paulinus, Bishop of York at York (as told by

    Anglo-Saxon king Edwin of Northumbria converts to Christianity, baptized by Paulinus, Bishop of York at York (as told by Bede)

  5. Smoke Imix [Smoke Jaguar] becomes the 12th ruler of the Maya city of Copán - will rule for 67 years

    Smoke Imix [Smoke Jaguar] becomes the 12th ruler of the Maya city of Copán - will rule for 67 years

Events After

  1. Emperor Taizong of Tang sends envoys to the Xueyantuo bearing gold and silk for the release of Chinese prisoners capture

    Emperor Taizong of Tang sends envoys to the Xueyantuo bearing gold and silk for the release of Chinese prisoners captured on the northern frontier during the transition from the Sui to Tang dynasty and succeeds in freeing 80,000

  2. Suintila, King of the Visigoths is overthrown after a reign of ten years, by Sisenand, a noble from Septimania

    Suintila, King of the Visigoths is overthrown after a reign of ten years, by Sisenand, a noble from Septimania

  3. Yazdegerd III begins his reign as the last King of Kings of the Iranian Sasanian Empire

    Yazdegerd III begins his reign as the last King of Kings of the Iranian Sasanian Empire

  4. Battle of Hatfield Chase: King Edwin of Northumbrian defeated and killed by an alliance of Welsh kingdom Gwynedd led by

    Battle of Hatfield Chase: King Edwin of Northumbrian defeated and killed by an alliance of Welsh kingdom Gwynedd led by Cadwallon ap Cadfan, and Mercia led by Penda

  5. Visigothic King Sisenand convenes Fourth Council of Toledo at the church of Saint Leocadia in Toledo; all bishops of His

    Visigothic King Sisenand convenes Fourth Council of Toledo at the church of Saint Leocadia in Toledo; all bishops of Hispania agree to establish seminaries in cathedral cities and implement educational standards

More from the 630s

Conquest of Mecca: Prophet Muhammad sets out with an army of 10,000 to capture Mecca

The conquest of Mecca was a military campaign undertaken by Muhammad and his companions during the Muslim–Quraysh War.

Emperor Taizong of Tang sends envoys to the Xueyantuo bearing gold and silk for the release of Chinese prisoners capture

Emperor Taizong of Tang sends envoys to the Xueyantuo bearing gold and silk for the release of Chinese prisoners captured on the northern frontier during the transition from the Sui to Tang dynasty and succeeds in freeing 80,000

Chintila becomes the Visigothic king of Hispania upon the death of King Sisenand

Chintila becomes the Visigothic king of Hispania upon the death of King Sisenand

Suintila, King of the Visigoths is overthrown after a reign of ten years, by Sisenand, a noble from Septimania

Suintila, King of the Visigoths is overthrown after a reign of ten years, by Sisenand, a noble from Septimania

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on March 21, 630?
Heraclius was Byzantine emperor from 610 to 641. His rise to power began in 608, when he and his father, Heraclius the Elder, the Exarch of Africa, led a revolt against the unpopular emperor Phocas. Heraclius's reign was marked by wars against the Persians and the Arabs.
Why is Byzantine emperor Heraclius restores the True Cross to Jerusalem significant?
Heraclius was Byzantine emperor from 610 to 641.

Explore More

March 21 in HistoryYear 630