Two Byzantine coins featuring Emperor Heraclius and Emperor Romanus III, highlighting the evolving artistry of the empire. Follis #1: Romanus III Argyros. 1028 - 1034 AD. Constantinople. Nimbate bust of Christ facing, square in each limb of cross; wearing pallium and collobium and holding book of Gospels. Rev: IS - XS / bAS - ILЄ / bAS - ILЄ - legend in three lines divided by limbs of cross with dot at each extremity on three-stepped base. Bronze, 29mm, 10.6g Follis #2: Heraclius. 610 - 641 AD. Nicomedia. Heraclius, on left and Heraclius Constantine on right, cross between their heads, each wearing crown and chlamys and each holding cross on globe. Rev: Large M, ANNO to left, cross above, officina letter A (1st) below, mintmark NIKO (Nicomedia). Bronze, 30mm 10.1g. Romanus III Argyros reigned as Byzantine Emperor from 1028 to 1034, marked by ambition but limited success. A wealthy and cultured noble, he sought to restore imperial glory through military campaigns and lavish public works. His military efforts, including an ill-fated expedition against the Muslims in Syria, ended in costly failures. Domestically, Romanus invested in grand building projects, straining the empire's finances without yielding significant benefits. His governance was characterized by ineffective administration and a lack of decisive leadership. Romanus's reign was overshadowed by court intrigue and his troubled marriage to Empress Zoe, culminating in his mysterious death, possibly by poisoning. Heraclius, who reigned as Byzantine Emperor from 610 to 641 AD, is best known for his transformative military campaigns and religious policies during a critical era in Byzantine history. Facing early crises, he rebuilt the Byzantine army and launched a successful counteroffensive against the Sasanian Empire, reclaiming lost territories and restoring the True Cross to Jerusalem in 630 CE. However, his later years were marked by the rapid expansion of the Islamic Caliphate, which overtook much of Byzantium’s territory in the Levant, Egypt, and North Africa. Heraclius also sought to unify Christian factions within the empire through the doctrine of Monothelitism, though it sparked internal theological disputes. Despite these challenges, Heraclius' reign is remembered for his resilience, military skill, and significant (though ultimately fleeting) victories against formidable adversaries.