614. Damascus and Jerusalem are taken by the Persians under Khusrau II.
616. Alexandria and Egypt conquered by the Persians; another army encamps at Chalcedon. Their general, Saen, introduces to Khusrau an embassy from Heraclius, for which he is flayed alive, and the ambassador imprisoned.
Death of Ethelbert; his son Eadbald succeeds him and restores the pagan worship to England; he is afterward converted to Christianity.
First expulsion of the Jews from Spain.
619. Heraclius, while holding a conference with Baian, is treacherously attacked by the Avars; he escapes with difficulty.
622. Roused from his apathy, Heraclius leaves Constantinople and lands at Alexandria; he defeats the Persians, recovers Cilicia, and places his army in secure winter quarters.
Flight of Mahomet from Mecca to Medina: the era of the Hegira commences, July 16th. See [THE HEGIRA], iv, 198.
623. Heraclius occupies Armenia, takes Thebarma (Ooramiah), the birthplace of Zoroaster, reconquers Colchis and Iberia, and winters in Albania, having released 50,000 captives.
Suintilla takes the few remaining places in Spain that were still held by the Greek empire.
624. Ispahan, Persia, is taken by Heraclius; he defeats Sarbaraza at Salban.