I Dream of Imaginary Lands

Solidus of Emperor Heraclius (r. 610-641), minted 610-613.

Heraclius was Byzantine emperor from 610 to 641, who came to power after overthrowing Phocas. His reign was dominated by major wars against the Sasanian Empire and later the Arab forces of the Rashidun Caliphate. Although the Persians initially overran key Byzantine territories such as Syria and Egypt, Heraclius reorganized the empire and achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of Nineveh (627), forcing Persia to make peace. Soon after, however, Arab armies conquered much of these recovered lands. Domestically, Heraclius introduced military and administrative reforms, sought religious unity through monothelitism, and made Greek the official language of the Byzantine state.

An injury drastically changed Harel’s career path. Photographed by Pepo Fernandez in London