�Initially a middle-ranking officer in the�Eastern Roman army, Phocas rose to prominence as a spokesman for dissatisfied soldiers in their disputes with the court of the Emperor�Maurice. When the army revolted in 602, Phocas emerged as the natural leader of the mutiny. The revolt proved to be successful and led to the capture of�Constantinople�and the overthrow of Maurice on 23 November 602 with Phocas declaring himself emperor the same day. - Other
