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Justinian I (c. 482 – 14 November 565), traditionally known as Justinian the Great and also Saint Justinian the Great in the Eastern Orthodox Church, was Byzantine (Eastern Roman) emperor from 527 to 565.<br/><br/> During his reign, Justinian sought to revive the empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the historical Roman Empire. His rule constitutes a distinct epoch in the history of the Later Roman empire, and his reign is marked by the ambitious but only partly realized restoration of the empire.
Phocas (547 - 610) was a native of Thrace, with little known about his early life apart from the name of his mother, Domentia, and the existence of at least two brothers, Comentiolus and Domentziolus. He became a subaltern officer in the Byzantine army in 600, viewed as a strong leader by his fellow soldiers.<br/><br/> After Emperor Maurice refused to pay for the ransom of many soldiers who had been taken prisoner by Avars in 598, resulting in their execution, it caused consternation and unrest in the legions. Further bad orders by Maurice in 602 finally led to the army revolting and marching against the capital of Constantinople, with Phocas at its head. Maurice abdicated and fled, and Phocas was declared emperor. One of Phocas' first acts was to order the execution of Maurice and six of his sons.<br/><br/> The traditional borders of the Byzantine Empire began to collapse under Phocas' rule, with attacks from all sides. In 608, the Exarch of Africa and his son, both named Heraclius, led a revolt against Phocas which would eventually see Phocas personally beheaded by the younger Heraclius, who then became emperor.