Smaragdus

Smaragdus (Ancient Greek: Σμαράγδος, romanized: Smarágdos) was Exarch of Ravenna from 585 to 589 and again from 603 to 611.

[1] One notable military achievement during his first reign was the recovery of Classis, the port of Ravenna, from the Lombards in 588.

These included Severinus, Archbishop of Aquileia and his followers, then at Grado, whom he ordered to attend a synod at Ravenna.

[2] When the council failed to solve any major issues, he forced the archbishop to declare his loyalty to the Orthodox creed.

When his army reached the fortress of Vulturina,[4] the garrison surrendered, firing the town of Brescello as they fled.

The Column of Phocas , erected by Smaragdus in the Roman Forum .