Martina's tongue was slit, her sons had their noses cut off, and her youngest sons were castrated. Eventually they were sent to Rhodes. Analysis Lynda Garland completed a comprehensive study of Byzantine empresses, covering Martina extensively. She summarised that Empress Martina was a 'scapegoat' for the failure against Arab expansion as well as the continuation of her husband's policies of monothelitism. Martina's ambition for her family did cause resentment amongst the people of Constantinople. However, she continued the legacy of providing and fighting for her heirs, similarly to many other Byzantine empresses. Children Martina and Heraclius had at least 10 children, though the names and order of these children are questions for debate: Constantine. Named a caesar in 615. Died young. Fabius, who had a paralyzed neck. Died young. Theodosios, who was a deaf-mute, married Nike, daughter of Persian general Shahrbaraz. Heracleonas, emperor 638–641. David (Tiberios) (born on 7 November 630), proclaimed caesar in 638. He was briefly proclaimed augustus and co-emperor with Heraklonas and Constans in 641. Deposed, mutilated and exiled to Rhodes. Marinus. A caesar. Possibly the youngest son that died after being emasculated according to John of Nikiu. Augoustina. Proclaimed an augusta in 638. Anastasia and/or Martina. Proclaimed augusta in 638. Febronia. Of these at least two were disabled, which was seen as punishment for the illegality of the marriage and may have been a consequence of inbreeding. References Bibliography Garland, L., Byzantine Empresses : Women and Power in Byzantium AD 527-1204 (Routledge, 2002). External links An article on Martina by Lynda Garland 6th-century births 7th-century deaths Heraclian dynasty 7th-century Byzantine empresses Augustae Heraclius Byzantine exiles 7th-century women rulers Mothers of Byzantine emperors