610 Hercalius deposes Phocas
Phocas was a very bad emperor indeed. He ascended the throne of the Byzantine (or Eastern Roman) Empire in 602 with the support of the army and the Constantinople mob, murdering the incumbent emperor Maurice and his six sons. This was the first successful violent coup in almost three hundred years and with no inherent legitimacy he had to maintain his rule with terror and violence. The borders collapsed under barbarian pressure from the north and Persian pressure in the east; rebel generals began marching on the capital, rioting broke out in the empire’s cities. Phocas responded with more terror, including the murder of Maurice’s wife and daughters.
In 610 a fleet lead by Heraclius, the son of the governor of the African provinces, landed near Constantinople. The local military and civil service went over to him and declared him the new emperor; Phocas’s bodyguard deserted him, and Heraclius entered the capital in triumph. When Phocas was dragged before him, Heraclius sneered “Is this how you have ruled, wretch?” Phocas replied, “And will you rule better?” Heraclius personally killed his predecessor on the spot and had his head paraded through the capital.
Heraclius went on to a long, if troubled reign, ruling until 641.