Maurice
Maurice was the Byzantine emperor from 582 to 602, one of the most capable rulers of the sixth century. He concluded a highly favorable peace with Persia in 591 after taking advantage of a Persian succession crisis to restore the deposed king Khusrow II to his throne. He organized the western provinces into the Exarchates of Ravenna and Carthage, autonomous administrative units under military governors. Maurice is also significant as the probable author of the Strategikon, a military manual that survived as an authoritative guide to Byzantine warfare for centuries. His insistence on keeping soldiers in the field through winter to reduce costs led to a mutiny in 602. The troops proclaimed the centurion Phocas as emperor. Maurice was captured and executed along with his sons.
- Lived: 539 CE – 602 CE
- Nationality: byzantine
- Roles: emperor, head_of_state, military_leader, author
