Theodore Trithyrius

Theodore Trithyrius was a treasurer of the state of Syria and a military commander working for the the Byzantine emperor Heraclius.

Origins

Based in Antioch during the 7th century, Trithyrius was a Greek Christian treasurer working for the Byzantine authority of Emperor Heraclius and extremely loyal to the emperor himself. He enjoyed supremacy under his title of "sacellarius" usually appointed to the state treasurer.

In 634, the emperor sent his brother Theodore to fighting the invading armies of Muslims in Ajnadayn where he was decisively defeated. On his retreat, Theodore blamed his brother's incestuous marriage to their niece Martina for the defeat of the Byzantine empire and delved into an argument with him. Heraclius stripped him off his command and sent him to Constantinople. With Theodore gone, Heraclius appointed Trithyrius to take lead as the commander of his brother's army. Historians cite that Heraclius wanted to give the reigns to Theodore not because he was loyal but because he shared his brother's name and that the force would not feel much about the replacement of his brother.

In 635 however, things were beginning to take a serious toll when the Byzantine armies failed considerably at other battles. This partly due to financial setbacks and the Byzantine empire failing to provide salaries for the troops, Trithyrius found himself in another role. For most times, Trithyrius's role with the army served as a constant reassurement. A certain lassitude had filled the air and Heraclius had to disband many regiments for economy's sake. There was no enthusiasm towards joining the army however the presence of the imperial paymaster encouraged mercenary recruitment.

The Muslim conquest of Syria appeared a significant threat to the Byzantine empire and Heraclius thus ordered Trithyrius to lead an army to counter the attacks. His real role with the army is questionable but his involvement brought reassurance nonetheless. In August 636, he charged down to the Yarmouk River an eastern tributary of the Jordan River to fight the Rashidun army at the Battle of Yarmouk.

Against the opposing military leader Khalid bin al-Walid, Trithyrius decided to give the command to Vahan, an Armenian prince as he felt he was not a formidable army commander. Although on 20 August 636, he died at the hands of the Muslims along with Vahan and almost all his men.