Heraclius made Greek the official language of the empire, sweeping away the old Latin trappings in the interest of military efficiency. Within a generation, Latin was virtually extinct in the empire, and imperial titles changed from Imperator, Caesar, and Augustus to Basilius — the Greek word for king. Brownworth calls this a turning point marking Heraclius as the first Greek emperor.
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Episode 10 (4 mentions)
Heraclius made Greek the official language of the empire, sweeping away the old Latin trappings in the interest of military efficiency. Within a generation, Latin was virtually extinct in the empire, and imperial titles changed from Imperator, Caesar, and Augustus to Basilius — the Greek word for king. Brownworth calls this a turning point marking Heraclius as the first Greek emperor.
“If Justinian was the last Roman Emperor, then Heraclius was the first Greek one.”
“He made Greek the official language, and within a generation Latin was virtually extinct.”
“But after him, they were known only as Basilius, the Greek word for King.”
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