Heraclius Emperor of Byzantium by Walter E. Kaegi - 2003

Cambridge University Press, 2003. First edition. Hardcover. Very Good in Very Good dust jacket. 23.5 x 15.5 cm. Octavo. 359pp. Black cloth in dust jacket. Corners are lightly bumped. Nice copy. This book evaluates the life and empire of the pivotal yet controversial Byzantine emperor Heraclius (ad. 610-641), a contemporary of the Prophet Muhammad. His stormy war-torn reign is critical for understanding the background to fundamental changes in the Balkans and the Middle East, including the emergence of Islam. Heraclius' skills enabled him to capture and recapture important territory, including Jerusalem, Syria and Egypt. Yet, they proved to be of little value when he confronted early Islamic conquests.