Maurice, Mauricius, or Maurikios (Μαυρίκιος) was a Byzantine and Eastern Roman emperor of the 6th and 7th centuries. His reign was marked by warfare with the Sassanids, the Avars, and the Lombards. He expanded the borders of the empire beyond the South Caucasus. It was during a campaign against the Sassanids that Phokas led a revolt against Maurice and usurped the throne.