strengthened against all his enemies. As an equivalent for this
subserviency, he was greeted with the title of "Universal
Bishop." The cause of his action, as well as of that of the
Patriarch of Constantinople, was doubtless the fact that Maurice
was suspected of Magrian tendencies, into which he had been lured
by the Persians. The mob of Constantinople had hooted after him
in the streets, branding him as a Marcionite, a sect which
believed in the Magian doctrine of two conflicting principles.

With very different sentiments Chosroes heard of the murder of
his friend. Phocas had sent him the heads of Maurice and his
sons. The Persian king turned from the ghastly spectacle with
horror, and at once made ready to avenge the wrongs of his
benefactor by war.

THE EXPEDITION OF HERACLIUS. The Exarch of Africa, Heraclius, one
of the chief officers of the state, also received the shocking
tidings with indignation. He was determined that the imperial
purple should not be usurped by an obscure centurion of
disgusting aspect. "The person of this Phocas was diminutive and
deformed; the closeness of his shaggy eyebrows, his red hair, his
beardless chin, were in keeping with his cheek, disfigured and
discolored by a formidable scar. Ignorant of letters, of laws,
and even of arms, he indulged in an ample privilege of lust and
drunkenness." At first Heraclius refused tribute and obedience to
him; then, admonished by age and infirmities, he committed the
dangerous enterprise of resistance to his son of the same name. A
prosperous voyage from Carthage soon brought the younger
Heraclius in front of Constantinople. The inconstant clergy,
senate, and people of the city joined him, the usurper was seized