Magister militum
In 471, Heraclius helped Emperor Leo I to get rid of the influential barbarian "Magister militum" Aspar. In 474, during the reign of Zeno, Heraclius had reached the rank of "Magister militum per Thracias". In that capacity, he faced the Goths of Theodoric Strabo, but was captured in Thrace. He was later freed when the emperor paid a ransom.