, the epitome of victory. Shahrbaraz took Damascus and Jerusalem from the Byzantine Empire in 613 and 614 respectively, and the Holy Cross was carried away in triumph. However, during Heraclius' (610–641) campaign in the Persian Empire in the 620s, mutual suspicion arose between Khosrau II and Shahrbaraz. Byzantine agents showed Shahrbaraz letters indicating that Khosrau II was planning the general's execution. This kept one of the main Persian armies and its best general neutral during t… (More on Shahrbaraz)