THE CHALLENGE OF THE QUR’AN

The Challenge of The Qur’an ~ 300 ~ capital, Constantinople, after a minor battle and Phocas was killed. Although Heraclius succeeded in eliminating Phocas, he failed to counteract the Persian menace, which eventually proved insuperable. By 616, the Romans had lost the entire territory in the east and west, save the capital, to the Persian emperor. In Iraq, Syria Palestine, Egypt and Asia Minor, the Zoroastrian flag replaced the Christian flag. Heraclius was besieged on both sides by these implacable enemies and the Roman Empire was eventually reduced to what lay within the walls of Constantinople. After the loss of Egypt, the capital was afflicted by famine and pestilence. Thus the situation was worsening day by day. Only the trunk of the Roman Empire’s huge tree had survived, and even that had begun to wither away. The public lived in fear and horror of the Persians who might lay siege to Constantinople at any moment. Normal transactions came to a standstill and public places, which at one time had been bustling with activity, now wore a deserted look.