Maurice was the Emperor of the Byzantine Empire who reigned from 582 to 602 A.D. Generally a very competent ruler, he made the mistake of ordering his army to launch a winter offensive beyond the Danube. Already alienated by his decisions to not ransom 12,000 prisoners from the Avars(they were executed), the army overthrew him and ushered in the disastrous reign of Phocas the Tyrant. He and all his sons were executed.
But, what if he had not antagonized his army and had continued reigning as Emperor? This could have potentially huge consequences. He had sheltered the Sassanid Emperor Khosrau II from his rivals when he was younger, and had provided military support for his reclaiming of the throne. As a message of gratitude, Khosrau gave the Byzantines territory in Armenia and married Maurice's daughter Miriam.
If Maurice stays in power, could this eliminate the Byzantine-Sassanid War? Without this war, would both empires be a more formidable barrier to Islam?
But, what if he had not antagonized his army and had continued reigning as Emperor? This could have potentially huge consequences. He had sheltered the Sassanid Emperor Khosrau II from his rivals when he was younger, and had provided military support for his reclaiming of the throne. As a message of gratitude, Khosrau gave the Byzantines territory in Armenia and married Maurice's daughter Miriam.
If Maurice stays in power, could this eliminate the Byzantine-Sassanid War? Without this war, would both empires be a more formidable barrier to Islam?