Comentiolus (brother of Phocas)
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Comentiolus or Komentiolos was the brother of the Byzantine emperor Phocas
(r. 602–610).
Nothing is known of his early life except that he was the son of Domentzia
, along with Phocas and the later magister officiorum
Domentziolus
. Raised by Phocas to the rank of patricius and the post of magister militum
, he was in charge of the Byzantine Empire's eastern army facing the Sassanid Persians when Phocas was overthrown and executed by Heraclius
(r. 610–641) in 610.
Comentiolus refused to acknowledge Heraclius's accession, and, bringing back the troops to winter quarters at Ancyra, he planned to attack Constantinople
and avenge the deaths of his brothers Phocas and Domentziolus. Heraclius pardoned his nephew, the son of Domentziolus (also named Domentziolus
), and sent the respected former general Philippicus
as an envoy. Comentiolus imprisoned Philippicus and threatened to have him executed, but was himself assassinated by the patricius Justin (late 610 or 611). The rebellion, and with it a serious threat to Heraclius's still shaky hold on power, died with him.
Phocas
Phocas was Byzantine Emperor from 602 to 610. He usurped the throne from the Emperor Maurice, and was himself overthrown by Heraclius after losing a civil war.-Origins:...
(r. 602–610).
Nothing is known of his early life except that he was the son of Domentzia
Domentzia
Domentzia was a name shared by the mother of the Byzantine emperor Phocas , and a daughter of the same emperor, likely named after her paternal grandmother.- Name :...
, along with Phocas and the later magister officiorum
Magister officiorum
The magister officiorum was one of the most senior administrative officials in the late Roman Empire and the early centuries of the Byzantine Empire...
Domentziolus
Domentziolus (brother of Phocas)
Domentziolus or Domnitziolus was a brother of the Byzantine emperor Phocas .Phocas and his family were likely of Thraco-Roman origin. Phocas and Domentziolus' mother was named Domentzia. A third brother is known, named Comentiolus.In 603, Phocas appointed Domentziolus as his magister officiorum,...
. Raised by Phocas to the rank of patricius and the post of magister militum
Magister militum
Magister militum was a top-level military command used in the later Roman Empire, dating from the reign of Constantine. Used alone, the term referred to the senior military officer of the Empire...
, he was in charge of the Byzantine Empire's eastern army facing the Sassanid Persians when Phocas was overthrown and executed by Heraclius
Heraclius
Heraclius was Byzantine Emperor from 610 to 641.He was responsible for introducing Greek as the empire's official language. His rise to power began in 608, when he and his father, Heraclius the Elder, the exarch of Africa, successfully led a revolt against the unpopular usurper Phocas.Heraclius'...
(r. 610–641) in 610.
Comentiolus refused to acknowledge Heraclius's accession, and, bringing back the troops to winter quarters at Ancyra, he planned to attack Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
and avenge the deaths of his brothers Phocas and Domentziolus. Heraclius pardoned his nephew, the son of Domentziolus (also named Domentziolus
Domentziolus (nephew of Phocas)
Domentziolus or Domnitziolus was a nephew of the Byzantine emperor Phocas , appointed curopalates and general in the East during his uncle's reign. He was one of the senior Byzantine military leaders during the opening stages of the Byzantine–Sassanid War of 602–628...
), and sent the respected former general Philippicus
Philippicus (general)
Philippicus or Philippikos was an East Roman general, comes excubitorum, and brother-in-law of Emperor Maurice. His successful career as a general spanned several decades, chiefly against the Persians.- Under Maurice :...
as an envoy. Comentiolus imprisoned Philippicus and threatened to have him executed, but was himself assassinated by the patricius Justin (late 610 or 611). The rebellion, and with it a serious threat to Heraclius's still shaky hold on power, died with him.