Was Flavius Heraclius Augustus The Great?

PAUL GREEN 112707519.

GR3022 BYZANTIUM AND THE RISE OF ISLAM.

HERACLIUS THE GREAT ?

WORD COUNT; 1492.

This essay will argue that Flavius Heraclius Augustus ( c.575 – 641 A.D ) fulfilled, if not surpassed, during his lifetime all the necessary criteria needed to be awarded the honorific title “Great”. However, given his longevity and the events and decisions made at the end of his life he is not remembered as a “Great”. Unlike Alexander or Caesar, Heraclius lived long after his greatest success's, long enough to see a reversal of fortune. He was a talented General responsible for some great deeds and actions, such as his victorious campaigning in the East against the Persians during the 620's and his achievement of restoring previously lost lands including Jerusalem and importantly the “true cross” back to Christendom. These might be considered the deeds of a great man alone. Furthermore he was responsible for a complete overhaul and reform of the administration of the Byzantine Empire creating the basis for the survival of the nucleus of Byzantium and halting…show more content…
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