Heraclonas

Heraclius (Ancient Greek: Ἡράκλειος, romanized: Hērákleios; 626 – 642), known by the diminutive Heraclonas or Heracleonas (Greek: Ἡρακλ[ε]ωνᾶς, romanized: Hērákl[ei]onas), and sometimes called Heraclius II, was briefly Byzantine emperor in 641.

Heraclonas was the son of Heraclius and his niece Martina. His mother, Martina, was unpopular and disliked during Heraclius’ reign, yet she always accompanied him—both on journeys and in battles—likely for her own safety, and the imperial couple, however, clearly a close couple. Martina was one of Heraclius’ key advisors and occasionally voiced her opinions on political and military matters. Towards the end of his reign, she maneuvered to influence the line of succession, ensuring her sons were placed in line and even promoting her daughters as potential heirs. This effort effectively removed Constantine’s children, her stepson, from the succession. Ultimately, on July 4, 638, she persuaded Heraclius to appoint Heraclonas as co-emperor alongside himself and his elder son, Constantine. Even, his father had stipulated in his will that both of his sons, Heraclonas and Constantine III, should rule jointly upon his death. Heraclius also specified that his wife, Martina, was to be called Μήτηρ καὶ Βασίλισσα or Mater et Augusta (“Mother and Empress”), insofar as she might have influence and authority at court as well. The emperor Heraclius died in February 641 from edema. The authority for such a ceremony typically belonged to the succeeding emperor, not to the empress; Martina was attempting to establish her own authority over the two co-emperors. When Martina made the late Emperor's will public she faced staunch resistance to her playing any active role in government, but both Heraclonas and Constantine were proclaimed joint-emperors in February 641 without incident. Relations of Martina and her stepson were always difficult. Because of Heraclonas' young age, Martina ruled through him, consistently opposing the policies of Constantine, leading to the creation of two different political factions. After Constantine died of tuberculosis in May 641, Heraclonas became sole emperor, under the regency of his mother due to his young age, and she came to dominate the empire, though not without discontent, as sovereignty became concentrated in her hands. He reigned until October or November 641, when he was overthrown by Valentinus, a general and usurper of Armenian extract, who installed Constans II, the son of Constantine III. Valentinus had Heraclonas' nose cut off, then exiled him to Rhodes, where he is believed to have died in the following year.