Editing Heraclius (section)

== Early life ==
=== Revolt against Phocas and accession ===
{{Main|Heraclian revolt}}
[[File:Revolt of the Heraclii solidus.jpg|thumb|left|Gold ''[[solidus (coin)|solidus]]'' of Heraclius and his father in consular robes, struck during their revolt against Phocas]]
In 608, Heraclius the Elder renounced his loyalty to the Emperor [[Phocas]], who had overthrown Maurice six years earlier. The rebels issued coins showing both Heraclii dressed as [[hypatos]], though neither of them explicitly claimed the imperial title at this time.{{sfn|Mitchell|2007|p=411}} Heraclius's younger cousin [[Nicetas (cousin of Heraclius)|Nicetas]] launched an overland invasion of [[Aegyptus (Roman province)|Egypt]]; by 609, he had defeated Phocas's general [[Bonus (Sirmium)|Bonosus]] and secured the province. Meanwhile, the younger Heraclius sailed eastward with another force via [[Sicily]] and [[Cyprus]].{{sfn|Mitchell|2007|p=411}}

As he approached [[Constantinople]], he made contact with prominent leaders and planned an attack to overthrow [[aristocrats]] in the city. When he reached the capital, the [[Excubitors]], an elite Imperial Guard unit led by Phocas's son-in-law [[Priscus (magister militum)|Priscus]], deserted to Heraclius, and he entered the city without serious resistance. When Heraclius captured Phocas, he asked him "Is this how you have ruled, wretch?" Phocas's reply—"And will you rule better?"—so enraged Heraclius that he beheaded Phocas on the spot.{{sfn|Olster|1993|p=133}} He later had the genitalia removed from the body because Phocas had raped the wife of Photius, a powerful politician in the city.{{sfn|Charles|2007|p=177}}

On 5 October 610, Heraclius [[Coronation of the Byzantine emperor|was crowned]] in the Chapel of St. Stephen within the [[Great Palace]].<ref>''[[Chronicon Paschale]]'' [[iarchive:chronicon-p/page/150/mode/1up|610]]. Heraclius arrived on 3 October, a Saturday. However, the chronicle later states that he entered the city on 6 October, "a Monday". The 5th is clearly intended.</ref> He then married [[Fabia Eudokia|Fabia, who took the name Eudokia]]. After her death in 612, he married his niece [[Martina (empress)|Martina]] in 613; this second marriage was considered [[incest]]uous and was very unpopular.{{sfn|Kaegi|2003|p=106}} In the reign of Heraclius's two sons, the divisive Martina was to become the center of power and political intrigue. Despite widespread hatred for Martina in Constantinople, Heraclius took her on campaigns with him and refused attempts by [[Patriarch]] Sergius to prevent and later dissolve the marriage.{{sfn|Kaegi|2003|p=106}}