On This Day

Heraclius' fleet takes Constantinople

Heraclius the Elder was a Byzantine Roman general and the father of Byzantine Roman emperor Heraclius (r. 610–641).

Heraclius the Elder was a Byzantine Roman general and the father of Byzantine Roman emperor Heraclius (r. 610–641). Heraclius the Elder distinguished himself in the war against the Sassanid Persians in the 580s. As a subordinate general (or hypostrategos), Heraclius served under the command of Philippicus during the Battle of Solachon and possibly served under Comentiolus during the Battle of Sisarbanon. Circa 595, Heraclius the Elder is mentioned as a magister militum per Armeniam sent by Emperor Maurice (r. 582–602) to quell an Armenian rebellion led by Samuel Vahewuni and Atat Khorkhoruni. Around 600, he was made the exarch of Africa and in 608, he rebelled with his son against the usurper Phocas (r. 602–610).

Historical Significance

Heraclius the Elder was a Byzantine Roman general and the father of Byzantine Roman emperor Heraclius (r.

Events Before

  1. Boniface III begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    Boniface III begins his reign as Catholic Pope

  2. 12th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet

    12th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet

  3. Comet 1P/607 H1 (Halley) approaches within 0.0898 AUs of Earth

    Comet 1P/607 H1 (Halley) approaches within 0.0898 AUs of Earth

  4. Saint Boniface IV begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    Saint Boniface IV begins his reign as Catholic Pope

  5. Pope Boniface I turns the Pantheon in Rome into a Catholic church

    The Pantheon (UK: , US: ; Latin: Pantheum, from Ancient Greek Πάνθειον (Pantheion) '[temple] of all the gods') is an ancient 2nd century Roman temple and, since AD 609, a Catholic church called the...

Events After

  1. Forces from Maya city Calakmul invade and conquer the neighbouring city of Palenque, holding it as a vassal state for fi

    Forces from Maya city Calakmul invade and conquer the neighbouring city of Palenque, holding it as a vassal state for five years

  2. BC Fall of Nineveh to the Babylonians and the forces of Medes, leads to the sack of one of the greatest cities in the wo

    BC Fall of Nineveh to the Babylonians and the forces of Medes, leads to the sack of one of the greatest cities in the world, the destruction of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, and the death of King Sinsharishkun [date approximate]

  3. Saint Boniface IV's reign as Catholic Pope ends

    Pope Adeodatus I (570 – 8 November 618), also called Deodatus I or Deusdedit, was the bishop of Rome from 19 October 615 to his death on 8 November 618.

  4. Pope Deusdedit [Adeodatus I] elected to succeed Boniface IV as Catholic Pope

    Pope Adeodatus I (570 – 8 November 618), also called Deodatus I or Deusdedit, was the bishop of Rome from 19 October 615 to his death on 8 November 618.

  5. Coronation of Chinese governor Li Yuan as Emperor Gaozu of Tang, the new Emperor of China, initiating three centuries of

    Coronation of Chinese governor Li Yuan as Emperor Gaozu of Tang, the new Emperor of China, initiating three centuries of Tang Dynasty rule over China

More from the 610s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on October 5, 610?
Heraclius the Elder was a Byzantine Roman general and the father of Byzantine Roman emperor Heraclius (r. 610–641). Heraclius the Elder distinguished himself in the war against the Sassanid Persians in the 580s.
Why is Heraclius' fleet takes Constantinople significant?
Heraclius the Elder was a Byzantine Roman general and the father of Byzantine Roman emperor Heraclius (r.

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