Editing 641 (section)

==== Byzantine Empire ====
* [[February 11]] &ndash; Emperor [[Heraclius]], age 65, dies of [[Edema|dropsy]] at [[Constantinople]] after a 31-year reign. He reorganized the imperial administration, but lost [[Armenia]], parts of [[Diocese of Egypt (Late Antiquity)|Egypt]], [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]], [[Syria]] and much of [[Mesopotamia]] to the [[Muslim]] Arabs. Heraclius is succeeded by his sons [[Constantine III (Byzantine emperor)|Constantine III]] and [[Heraklonas]].
* The [[Muslim conquest of Egypt]] continues, with the [[Siege of Alexandria (641)|siege of Alexandria]].
* [[May]] &ndash; Constantine III, age 29, dies of [[tuberculosis]] after a four-month reign, leaving his half-brother Heraklonas sole emperor. Rumors spread that Constantine has been [[poison]]ed by Heraclius's second wife (and niece) [[Martina (empress)|Martina]].
* [[September]] &ndash; The [[Byzantine Senate]] turns against Martina and her son Heraklonas, who are both [[Political mutilation in Byzantine culture|mutilated]], and [[exile]]d to [[Rhodes]]. Supported by general [[Valentinus (usurper)|Valentinus]], Constantine's son [[Constans II]], age 10, succeeds to the [[throne]]. 
* Constans II establishes a new civil-military defensive organisation, based upon [[Geography|geographical]] military districts. Byzantine forces maintain the frontier, along the line of the [[Taurus Mountains]] (Southern [[Turkey]]).