Cultural and historical origins of the marriage of “Caesar” Theodosius and the Persian princess Nika. On the nature of the dynastic policy of emperor Heraclius (610-641)

The article considers the work of the Byzantine historian Theophylact Simocatta, secretary of Emperor Heraclius (610-641). The article examines the story of the marriage of Theodosius, the son of Heraclius and Martina, and the Persian princess Nika, narrated by Patriarch Nikephoros. It is concluded that Theophylact deliberately kept silent about this marriage as an event that did not fit into the concept of glorifying Emperor Heraclius, the conqueror of the Persians. The precedent of the marriage of the Persian Shah Khosrow II Parviz and a possible relative of the Byzantine emperor Maurice is being investigated. The article describes the cultural state of the Byzantine Empire and Sasanian Iran in the era of the military conflict, called by L. N. Gumilev “The World War of the VII century”. It is concluded that Theodosius and Nika may have died during the repressions that followed the overthrow of Empress Martina and her sons Heraklion and David in November 641.