Heraclius I, Emperor of Byzantium

ERACLIO I, EMPEROR of Byzantium. - He reigned from 610 to 641. He was crowned by the Byzantine patriarch Sergio. In 614 he undertook the counteroffensive against the Persians, who had devastated Jerusalem and carried off the Cross. The campaign, however, was unsuccessful. He renewed the attempt with good results in the years 632-24. He penetrated Cappadocia, then Armenia, and subsequently Media. But this time too he was forced to retreat. Finally, in 627 E. again entered Persia victoriously and decisively defeated Cosroe II, who, slain by his own men, was succeeded by Kawad. The latter was obliged to accept the peace proposed by E., who imposed freedom of Christian worship and the restitution of the wood of the Cross. E. himself triumphantly brought it back to Jerusalem, an event commemorated by the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross (14 Sept.). E. supported the religious policy of the patriarchs Sergio of Constantinople and Ciro of Alexandria in favour of Monothelitism, with the aim of finding a compromise between the Orthodox and the Monophysites.