“Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by injustice! – Habakkuk 2:12

Today’s Scripture Reading (February 7, 2014): Habakkuk 2

Flavias Phocus Augustus (known simply as Phocas) was the Emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 602 C.E. until 610. C.E. Although very little is known of Phocus prior to rise to power, we do know that he took the throne away from his predecessor, Maurice, through inciting the army to rebel against the Emperor. Maurice fled Constantinople, and Phocus was crowned as emperor in his place. Then Phocus captured Maurice, who at this point was not really a political threat to Phocus, and had him and his six sons executed. A story is told of how Phocus made Maurice watch with his own eyes as each one of his sons were executed – and then finally the executioner allowed Maurice to die. This action marked the first violent change in leadership since Constantine took power of the Empire early in the 4^th century.

In the early days of his reign, Phocus was well received by the people. He lowered the taxes (which had been high during the reign of Maurice) and even garnered praise from the reigning Pope (Gregory the Great). But there were also rumors of the way that he handled those who dared to oppose him – often dealing with his opposition in a very cruel manner. (Later histories report that he killed thousands in trying to maintain his rule of the Empire, but since no histories remain from the time of his reign, and those that have survived were written by people who had a desire to blacken Phocus’ name, we are unsure of how many were really executed by the Emperor.)

But there is no doubt that Phocus’ empire was an example of one that was built on blood. Even in an Empire that was outwardly built on Christian principles (Phocus was crowned in the church of St. John the Baptist in Constantinople) the word of the prophet Habakkuk were ignored. Phocus had built an empire on the blood of his enemies – and that empire could not stand.

And it didn’t. In 608, a rebellion began in Africa against the reign of the Byzantine Emperor. By 610, the war had been brought to the door of Constantinople. Phocus’ own personal guard (including his son-in-law) defected on mass to the rebel Heraclius – and Heraclius entered the city without resistance. And when Phocus was brought into the presence of Heraclius, the new Emperor had one question for the former ruler. It was a simple one – “Is this how you rule, wretch?” We are told that Phocus simply looked up the usurper standing in his place and responded “Will you do any better?” The answer outraged Heraclius, and he personally executed Phocus on the spot, beheading him with his sword. A reign that had begun in blood, ended the same way. And a new Emperor was given the chance to “do better.”     

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 3