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This is an alternate timeline asking what if Emperor Heraclius struck the Muslims while they Besieged Damascus rather than waiting and fighting at Yarmouk. This is my first timeline so bear with me, I'm always open to constructive criticism and suggestions too! The point of divergence is that the Emperor's brother Theodore was killed at the Battle of Ajnadayn.
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July 634AD:

Emperor Heraclius was said to be a rather timid man yet still temperate and courageous. However he was absolutely furious over what happened to his brother. The nascent sound of his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest of the throne demonstrated the feelings in the man. As he sat in the court, he listened to his Magister Militum per Orientium Theodore Trithyrius report the dire situation.

"The Arabs have decisively defeated our forces near Aelia Capitolina at Ajnadayn, my honourable Basileus. We levied local federate, garrison and auxiliary troops to fight the Arab invaders. We don't have much information other than they were totally routed by an army with superior numbers. As you already know, your brother had perished after the centre of his army collapsed."

The Emperor pondered to himself, wondering how these previously irrelevant tribesman now have the gall to threaten the Empire itself. He desired revenge above all else.

Vahan, an Armenian commander of the Empire stood up and approached the Emperor asking "May I approach Basileus?"

The Emperor waved his hand for him to come forward.

"Basileus I believe that we cannot wait for the desert to shallow these interlopers up. They're men born and bred in these types of wastelands and are capable of surviving in the harshest sands. We have no reports of them raiding on a mass scale, I do not believe they have entered our territory for pillage. We haven't been able to rebuild the Ghassanid auxiliaries to the previous extent, and there are still bands of Persian troops in the countryside. I believe it's entirely possible they are collecting strength to prepare for an assault on the province of Syria"

A wave of unease had washed over the Emperor, who ten years previously lost Syria to a Persian invasion where they had threatened Constantinople itself.

"We sit here idle while we have the superior force and the tactical advantage. I believe it is within the Empire's interest that we act as soon as possible and destroy the invader's spearhead"

The Magister Militum adds "The Armenian is right, we do have total superiority of forces and we do give them the advantage if we flounder."

The Emperor stood up, capturing the attention of all in the court. "We cannot afford another disaster like the ones the Persians inflicted on us those so few years ago. We will act decisively and swiftly. My brother Theodore's life will be avenged!"


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