then was undecided; but Shahr-Barz had convinced
himself that he could not renew the combat with any prospect of victory.
He therefore retreated during the night, and withdrew from Cilicia.
Heraclius, finding himself free to march where he pleased, crossed
the Taurus, and proceeded to Sebaste (Sivas), upon the Halys, where
he wintered in the heart of Cappadocia, about half-way between the two
seas. According to Theophanes the Persian monarch was so much enraged at
this bold and adventurous march, and at the success which had attended
it, that, by way of revenging himself on Heraclius, he seized the
treasures of all the Christian churches in his dominions, and
compelled the orthodox believers to embrace the Nestorian heresy. The
twenty-fourth year of the war had now arrived, and it was difficult
to say on which side lay the balance of advantage. If Chosroes still
maintained his hold on Syria, Egypt, and Asia Minor as far as
Chalcedon, if his troops still flaunted their banners within sight
of Constantinople, yet on the other hand he had seen his hereditary
dominions deeply penetrated by the armies of his adversary; he had had
his best generals defeated, his cities and palaces burnt, his favorite
provinces wasted; Heraclius had proved himself a most formidable
opponent; and unless some vital blow could be dealt him at home, there
was no forecasting the damage that he might not inflict on Persia by a
fresh invasion. Chosroes therefore made a desperate attempt to bring the
war to a close by an effort, the success of which would have changed the
history of the world. Having enrolled as soldiers, besides Persians,
a vast number of foreigners and slaves, and having concluded a close
alliance with the Khan of the Avars, he formed two great armies, one
of which was intended to watch Heraclius in Asia Minor, while the other
co-operated with the Avars and forced Constantinople to surrender. The
army destined to contend with the emperor was placed under the command
of Shahen; that which was to bear a part in the siege of Constantinople
was committed to Shahr-Barz. It is remarkable that Heraclius, though
quite aware of his adversary's plans, instead of seeking to baffle
them, made such arrangements as facilitated the attempt to put them
into execution. He divided his own troops into three bodies, one only of
which he sent to aid in the defence of his capital. The second body he
left with his brother Theodore, whom he regarded as a su