Theodore Trithyrius
Encyclopedia
Theodore Trithyrius commonly known by his title as Theodore the Sacellarius, was a Byzantine
treasurer of the state (sacellarius) and a military commander during the last years of the reign of Byzantine emperor Heraclius
.
and extremely loyal to the emperor himself. He enjoyed supremacy under his title of sacellarius usually appointed to the state treasurer.
In 634, the emperor sent his brother Theodore
to fighting the invading armies of Muslims in Ajnadayn
where he was decisively defeated. On his retreat, Theodore blamed his brother's incestuous marriage to their niece Martina
for the defeat of the Byzantine empire and delved into an argument with him. Heraclius stripped him of his command and sent him to Constantinople
. With Theodore gone, Heraclius appointed Trithyrius to take lead as the commander of his brother's army. Historians cite that Heraclius wanted to give the reigns to Theodore not because he was loyal but because he shared his brother's name and that the force would not feel much about the replacement of his brother.
In 635, however, things were beginning to take a serious toll when the Byzantine armies failed considerably at other battles. This partly due to financial setbacks and the Byzantine empire failing to provide salaries for the troops, Trithyrius found himself in another role. For most times, Trithyrius's role with the army served as a constant reassurement. A certain lassitude had filled the air and Heraclius had to disband many regiments for economy's sake. There was no enthusiasm towards joining the army however the presence of the imperial paymaster encouraged mercenary recruitment.
The Muslim conquest of Syria appeared a significant threat to the Byzantine empire
and Heraclius thus ordered Trithyrius to lead an army to counter the attacks. His real role with the army is questionable but his involvement brought reassurance nonetheless. In August 636, he charged down to the Yarmouk River
an eastern tributary of the Jordan River to fight the Rashidun army
at the Battle of Yarmouk
.
Against the opposing military leader Khalid ibn al-Walid
, Trithyrius decided to give the command to Vahan, an Armenian prince as he felt he was not a formidable army commander. Although on 20 August 636, he died at the hands of the Muslims along with Vahan and almost all his men.
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
treasurer of the state (sacellarius) and a military commander during the last years of the reign of Byzantine emperor Heraclius
Heraclius
Heraclius was Byzantine Emperor from 610 to 641.He was responsible for introducing Greek as the 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'...
.
Life
Based in Antioch during the 7th century, Trithyrius was a Greek Christian treasurer working for the Byzantine authority of Emperor HeracliusHeraclius
Heraclius was Byzantine Emperor from 610 to 641.He was responsible for introducing Greek as the 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'...
and extremely loyal to the emperor himself. He enjoyed supremacy under his title of sacellarius usually appointed to the state treasurer.
In 634, the emperor sent his brother Theodore
Theodore (brother of Heraclius)
Theodore was the brother of the Byzantine emperor Heraclius , a curopalates and leading general in Heraclius' wars against the Persians and against the Arab invasions.-Life:...
to fighting the invading armies of Muslims in Ajnadayn
Battle of Ajnadayn
The Battle of Ajnadayn, fought on July 30, 634, south of Beit Shemesh in present day Israel, was the first major pitched battle between the Eastern Roman Empire and the army of the Arabic Rashidun Caliphate. The result of the battle was a decisive Muslim victory...
where he was decisively defeated. On his retreat, Theodore blamed his brother's incestuous marriage to their niece Martina
Martina
Martina was the second Empress consort of Heraclius of the Byzantine Empire.-Family:Martina was a daughter of Maria and a certain Martinus. Her mother was a sister to Heraclius....
for the defeat of the Byzantine empire and delved into an argument with him. Heraclius stripped him of his command and sent him to Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
. With Theodore gone, Heraclius appointed Trithyrius to take lead as the commander of his brother's army. Historians cite that Heraclius wanted to give the reigns to Theodore not because he was loyal but because he shared his brother's name and that the force would not feel much about the replacement of his brother.
In 635, however, things were beginning to take a serious toll when the Byzantine armies failed considerably at other battles. This partly due to financial setbacks and the Byzantine empire failing to provide salaries for the troops, Trithyrius found himself in another role. For most times, Trithyrius's role with the army served as a constant reassurement. A certain lassitude had filled the air and Heraclius had to disband many regiments for economy's sake. There was no enthusiasm towards joining the army however the presence of the imperial paymaster encouraged mercenary recruitment.
The Muslim conquest of Syria appeared a significant threat to the Byzantine empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
and Heraclius thus ordered Trithyrius to lead an army to counter the attacks. His real role with the army is questionable but his involvement brought reassurance nonetheless. In August 636, he charged down to the Yarmouk River
Yarmouk River
The Yarmouk River is the largest tributary of the Jordan River. It drains much of the Hauran Plateau. It is one of three main tributaries which enter the Jordan between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. To the south, are the Jabbok/Zarqa and the Arnon/Wadi Mujib) rivers...
an eastern tributary of the Jordan River to fight the Rashidun army
Rashidun army
The Rashidun Caliphate Army or Rashidun army was the primary military body of the Rashidun Caliphate's armed forces during the Muslim conquests of the 7th century, serving alongside the Rashidun Navy...
at the Battle of Yarmouk
Battle of Yarmouk
The Battle of Yarmouk was a major battle between the Muslim Arab forces of the Rashidun Caliphate and the armies of the East Roman-Byzantine Empire. The battle consisted of a series of engagements that lasted for six days in August 636, near the Yarmouk River, along what is today the border...
.
Against the opposing military leader Khalid ibn al-Walid
Khalid ibn al-Walid
Khālid ibn al-Walīd also known as Sayf Allāh al-Maslūl , was a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He is noted for his military tactics and prowess, commanding the forces of Medina and those of his immediate successors of the Rashidun Caliphate; Abu Bakr and Umar...
, Trithyrius decided to give the command to Vahan, an Armenian prince as he felt he was not a formidable army commander. Although on 20 August 636, he died at the hands of the Muslims along with Vahan and almost all his men.