In 604 Byzantine Emperor Phocas forces Romaniotes as far as the Roman province of Tachkastan to convert or be evicted from the Roman Empire.
"Phocas's persecution of the miaphysites and of the Jews brought him the hatred of the Eastern provinces." Many Jews flee to Dacia and allied themselves to Persia.
Many use Gnosticism to help appear as converts to Christianity and are regarded as religious guides by some of the increasing numbers of Acephali.