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.