Maurice (539โ602 AD) was Byzantine Emperor from 582 to 602 and one of the most capable rulers of late antiquity. He inherited the ongoing war with the Sasanian Empire but brought it to a victorious conclusion by helping the exiled Khosrow II regain his throne.
With the eastern frontier constant, Maurice turned his attention to the Balkans, launching successful campaigns against the Avars and Slavs. He also established the Exarchates of Ravenna and Carthage, reorganizing the empire's western defenses.
Despite his military successes, his strict fiscal policies and refusal to ransom prisoners made him unpopular with the troops. A mutiny led by Phocas resulted in his overthrow and execution, an event that sparked the devastating final war with Persia.