Editing Maurice (emperor) (section)

===Domestic policy===
[[File:Exarchate of Ravenna 600 AD.png|thumb|{{center|The Exarchate of Italy under Maurice}}]]
[[File:Exarchate of Africa 600 AD.png|thumb|{{center|The Exarchate of Africa under Maurice}}]]
In the west, Maurice organised the threatened Byzantine dominions in [[Italy]] into the [[Exarchate of Ravenna|Exarchate of Italy]]. The Late Roman administrative system provided for a clear distinction between civil and military offices, primarily to lessen the possibility of rebellion by over-powerful provincial governors. In 584, Maurice created the office of exarch, which combined the supreme civil authority of a ''[[praetorian prefect]]'' and the military authority of a ''[[magister militum]]'' and enjoyed considerable autonomy from Constantinople. The Exarchate was successful in slowing the Lombard advance in Italy. In 591, he created a [[Exarchate of Africa|second Exarchate]] in [[Byzantine North Africa]], along similar lines.{{sfn|Ostrogorsky|1956|p=74}}

In 597, an ailing Maurice wrote his last will, in which he described his ideas of governing the empire. His eldest son, [[Theodosius (son of Maurice)|Theodosius]], would rule the eastern provinces from [[Constantinople]]; his second son, Tiberius, would rule the western exarchates from [[Rome]]. Some historians believe he intended for his younger sons to rule from Alexandria, Carthage, and Antioch. His intent was to maintain the unity of the empire; this idea bears a strong resemblance to the [[Tetrarchy]] of Diocletian. However, Maurice's violent death prevented these plans from coming to fruition.{{sfn|Ostrogorsky|1956|p=74}}

In religious matters, Maurice was tolerant towards [[Monophysitism]], although he was a supporter of the [[Council of Chalcedon]]. He clashed with [[Pope Gregory I]] over the latter's defence of Rome against the [[Lombards]].<ref>{{Cite CE1913 |last=Fortescuen|first=Adrian |wstitle=Maurice |volume=10}}</ref>{{sfn|Ostrogorsky|1956|p=76}}

Maurice's efforts to consolidate the empire slowly but steadily succeeded, especially after the peace with Persia. His initial popularity apparently declined during his reign, mostly because of his fiscal policies. In 588 he announced a cut in military wages by a quarter, leading to a serious mutiny by troops on the Persian front. He refused to pay a small ransom in 599 or 600 to free 12,000 Byzantine soldiers taken prisoner by the Avars and the prisoners were killed.{{sfn|Norwich|1988|pp=275–278}}