Constantine III (emperor)
|
|
Missing image
Solidus-Heraclius-sb0764.jpg
Solidus-Heraclius-sb0764.jpg
Heraclius and his sons Heraclius Constantine and Heraclonas.
Heraclius Constantine or Constantine III, was the eldest son of the Byzantine emperor Heraclius and his first wife Eudocia, born May 3, 612.
Heraclius Constantine was also the older half-brother of Heraclonas, the son of Heraclius' second wife Martina. For political reasons, Heraclius considered Martina to be mother of them both. Constantine became emperor when Heraclius died in 641, and during his reign the Arabs conquered Egypt. He died of tuberculosis after only four months, leaving Heraclonas sole emperor; a rumor that Martina had him poisoned led to political unrest during Heraclonas' reign.