Gold Solidus - Eastern Rome/Byzantine, c. 610-641 AD.
Ruler: Heraclius.
Obv: Crowned facing busts of Emperor and son (Heraclius Constantine).
Rev: Cross Potent on 4 steps, ''CONOB''.
Mint: Constantinople.
(Sear-738), 20mm, 4.39gm.
Heraclius was Byzantine Emperor from 610 to 641. He was responsible for introducing Greek as the Eastern Empire's official language. His rise to power began in 608, when he and his father, Heraclius the Elder, the exarch of Africa, successfully led a revolt against the unpopular usurper Phocas.
Heraclius is considered one of the greatest of all Byzantine rulers. At the beginning of his rule the Byzantine Empire was disintegrating, He reorganized the system of military government forming the background of the Medieval Byzantine State and launched a sucessful military campaign beginning in 622. Six years later the Avars were driven back from Constantinople, the Persians lay in ruins, Khrursu II was deposed, and the Holy Cross was restored to Jerusalem.
