Heraklian dynasty is main reformer dynasty in Eastern Rome. They had changed the official language of palace from Latin to Grek and they supported Orthodoxy all throughout Easter provinces. The first emperor of Heraklian dynasty is Heraklious while the last emperor is II.Justinian.
The last successor of Heraklian dynasty, II.Justinianbecame emperor in his 16. (685) The emperor's ruthless policy and the merciless extortion by his finance officials led to a revolt in 695 in which a new emperor was proclaimed. His nose was cut off and he exiled to Cherson on the Crimean.
II.Justinianwas not a man give up easily. He began to organize meetings and plans to take back the throne. Day by day loyal people of Cherson became aware of these meetings. Being aware of these meetings and doing nothing was a risk for them, at last, Constantinople could blame rulers and people of Cherson. Tension between loyal people of Cherson and II.Justinianwas rising and Cherson was not a safe place for II.Justiniananymore. (704)
There was not lots of options for a man who was seen as a threat for a throne of the most powerful empire in region. He was former emperor and has lots of relations with rulers reside in region, but accepting II.Justinianwas risk to confront Byzantium.
II.Justinianchosed the Khazar Khan and travelled to Itil, the capital city of Khazars. Suprisingly, he was welcomed. Even, Khan offered a marriage with his daughter. Before long, the daughter of Khan converted into Christianity and took the name, Theodara and they married. Khazar Khan sent them to Phanagoria.
A former emperor with a blood bond to another powerful Khanate was real threat for the Emperor Apsimaros. He sent a commision to Khan and demand the head of II.Justinian. Suprisingly, Khazar Khan act again as unexpected. Accepting the former Byzantium Emperor was unexpected and a brave decision, however accepting to cut his son-in-law's head was again unexpected but in most good meaning not coward but reasonable decision. Khan sent two people to cut his son-in-law's head off, Theodara was informed and warned Justinianos. Justiniankilled both these two men and fled to Kingdom of Bulgaria.
II. Justinianwas welcomed by the king of the Bulgars, Tervel. He married with one of daughters of Tervel's as did in Khazar Khanate. Furthermore, Justinianconvinced Tervel to walk to Constantinople. Bulgarians reached the Edirnekapi in 705. The peace talks took 3 days at the end of the talks, II. Justinianand a group of man succeded to enter the city from a waterway. It was shocking for people of Constantinople, II. Justinian managed this shock well and won the people. So before, night turns the day II.Justinianbecame the emperor of Byzantium again.
Rhinometos (Emperor with a cut nose) sent a navy to Crimea to bring his wife back. Navy sank in Black sea and Khazar Khan sent a letter to emperor
"You fool, are not two or three ships enough to bring your wife back. Lots of man died in sea. Or did you think that you would take back her by war? Look this boy is yours and now send somebody to bring them to you."
There are lots of problems for Byzantium as Bulgarians and Arabs. However, II. Justinianmain target was Crimea although these lands are the lands of Byzantium. In his exile, one day his ship was in storm. There was no hope for men in that ship. His servant said "Look my lord, danger and death is our neighbours, because of that please give promise god that you would not take vengeance on if you would be emperor again." However the answer of Justinianos was simple "God may send me to the deep of the sea at right of here, because, If I would be emperor again, I won't forgive anyone."
II.Justiniansent a navy to Cherson. Cherson could not stand still too much. Lots of captives and his navy sank in Black Sea in the way back to Constantinople. This time II.Justinian sent second navy with a order to kill every man in Cherson. Cherson governor Elia who was appointed as the commander of first navy by Justinian, turned his back to emperor and took the leadership of uprising. While Elias began to negotiate with Khazar Khan in Crimea, Justinian's in return, killed Elias baby and give his wife to an Indian servant as a concubine.
Cherson and the other cities in Crimea was under the protect of Khazar Khan now, II. Justiniansend a letter to Khan in the letter he just wanted the Elias back from Khan, in return status-quo Khazar sovereignity on Crimea might go on. There was not too many option for Emperor, he built a large army and sent it to Cherson. At first, everything is in favor of Emperor, siege was going well and it seems like Cherson would not stand still too much, however unexpected Khazar involvement as a belligrent changed the battle. Byzantium army was surrounded by Khazars and before long they had joined insurgents. Cherson insurgents had an army as a large as it can take Constantinople, now.
This time it was the turn for Cherson. Insurgents marched to Constantinople. There was nothing to do for Justinianos anymore except fleing, but this time Justinianos did not flee, he waited insurgents in Samandira.
Insurgents entered the city and first assaultted to palace. Son of Justinianos was killed in palace but they could not find Justinian. Wife of Elias who was given to Indian servant, learned the place of Justinian. Elias behaded the Justinianand his head was presented few days in Constantinople then sent to the Rome.
