He was a Byzantine emperor who reigned briefly in 641 AD following the death of his father, Emperor Heraclius.
Born in 626 AD as Heraclius Constantine, Heraklonas was the son of Heraclius and his second wife, Martina.
His rise to power was controversial, as he was named co-emperor alongside his half-brother Constantine III, sparking tensions within the empire.
When Constantine III died under suspicious circumstances, Heraklonas became sole ruler, but his authority was widely challenged. Accusations of his involvement in his half-brother’s death fueled unrest, leading to opposition from the Byzantine Senate and military leaders.
In response to public outrage, the Senate deposed him later in 641, mutilating him by cutting off his nose to prevent any future claims to the throne.
He was then exiled, likely to Rhodes, where he lived in obscurity until his death, possibly in 641 or shortly after. His brief and turbulent reign marked a period of instability in the Byzantine Empire, reflecting the political struggles that followed Heraclius’ long rule.
Despite his fall from power, his story remains an example of the volatile nature of imperial succession in Byzantium.
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