Phocas

Phocas (547–610), a centurion in the Thracian army, led the mutinous troops during the Danube campaign of 602 that overthrew the emperor Maurice, after Maurice ordered the army to campaign north of the river through the winter. Crowned on 23 November 602, he executed Maurice and his sons and tried to rule through his relatives, meeting every challenge with purges that widened revolt.

While the Sasanians under Khusrow II overran the eastern provinces, the African exarch Heraclius the Elder rose against him. Heraclius the Younger took Constantinople on 5 October 610 and beheaded Phocas the same day.