Gregory the Patrician
East Roman (Byzantine) Exarch of Africa
Years: 600 - 647
Gregory the Patrician (died 647) is a Byzantine Exarch of Africa (modern Tunisia and eastern Algeria).
A relative of the ruling Heraclian dynasty, Gregory is fiercely pro-Chalcedonian and leads a rebellion in 646 against Emperor Constans II over the latter's support for Monothelism.
Soon after declaring himself emperor, he faces an Arab invasion in 647.
He confronts the invaders but is decisively defeated and killed at Sufetula.
Africa returns to imperial allegiance after his death and the Arabs' withdrawal, but the foundations of Byzantine rule there have been fatally undermined.
