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Born to Greek or Armenian parents in Cappadocia in 539, Maurice grew up to become secretary to Tiberius [II], the comes excubitorum [commander of the imperial bodyguard] at Constantinople. When Tiberius II was appointed Caesar in 574, Maurice was appointed to his old position. He loyally served Tiberius II, and waged a successful war against the Sasanian Empire on his behalf. Maurice’s successes brought him elevated social position, and the hand of Tiberius’ daughter Constantina.
Tiberius II died in 582, leaving Maurice to take up the reigns of power. Unfortunately for Maurice, the empire that his father-in-law left him was almost completely bankrupt, still embroiled in conflict with Persia, and suffering from invasion by the Avars and Slavs. The new emperor had no other choice but to take up his military mantle once again and try to bring an end to the destructive wars. Thanks to a civil war within the Sasanian dynasty and a decade of hard fighting, Maurice was able to bring a successful conclusion to the war against Persia in 591. This conflict, which ended with Maurice joining forces with the Sasanian usurper, Khusrau II, won for the Byzantine empire long-contested territories in Armenia and the remission of tribute formerly paid to maintain peace. Once the Persian war was settled, Maurice turned his attention to the Avars and Slavs in the Balkans. In a series of campaigns fought from 591 to 594, these barbarians were pushed back and Byzantine frontier defenses restored along the Danube.
Despite these successes, Maurice was chronically short on money to govern and defend the empire from its many external enemies. As a cost saving measure, in 602, the emperor decreed that the army should continue campaigning beyond the Danube rather than return to winter quarters. At this the exhausted troops began to mutiny under the leadership of an officer named Phocas. The military disturbances sparked riots in Constantinople and Maurice attempted to flee to Nicomedia with his family. However, Phocas and the army soon arrived and captured them before they could make good their escape. It is reported that the cruel Phocas, who was proclaimed the new emperor, forced Maurice to watch the execution of his six sons before he was himself executed. The violent death of Maurice was immediately used as a pretext by Khusrau II to begin a new Persian-Byzntine war. With the fall of the axe, Phocas had undone the greatest of Maurice’s triumphs.
Tiberius II died in 582, leaving Maurice to take up the reigns of power. Unfortunately for Maurice, the empire that his father-in-law left him was almost completely bankrupt, still embroiled in conflict with Persia, and suffering from invasion by the Avars and Slavs. The new emperor had no other choice but to take up his military mantle once again and try to bring an end to the destructive wars. Thanks to a civil war within the Sasanian dynasty and a decade of hard fighting, Maurice was able to bring a successful conclusion to the war against Persia in 591. This conflict, which ended with Maurice joining forces with the Sasanian usurper, Khusrau II, won for the Byzantine empire long-contested territories in Armenia and the remission of tribute formerly paid to maintain peace. Once the Persian war was settled, Maurice turned his attention to the Avars and Slavs in the Balkans. In a series of campaigns fought from 591 to 594, these barbarians were pushed back and Byzantine frontier defenses restored along the Danube.
Despite these successes, Maurice was chronically short on money to govern and defend the empire from its many external enemies. As a cost saving measure, in 602, the emperor decreed that the army should continue campaigning beyond the Danube rather than return to winter quarters. At this the exhausted troops began to mutiny under the leadership of an officer named Phocas. The military disturbances sparked riots in Constantinople and Maurice attempted to flee to Nicomedia with his family. However, Phocas and the army soon arrived and captured them before they could make good their escape. It is reported that the cruel Phocas, who was proclaimed the new emperor, forced Maurice to watch the execution of his six sons before he was himself executed. The violent death of Maurice was immediately used as a pretext by Khusrau II to begin a new Persian-Byzntine war. With the fall of the axe, Phocas had undone the greatest of Maurice’s triumphs.