Military History of Late Rome 518-565

by Ilkka Syvänne

Overview

Great detail of tactics, equipment and organization of Roman armies and their many enemies.

The Military History of Late Rome 518-565 provides a new, fresh analysis of the revival of Roman fortunes during the reigns of Justin I (518-527) and Justinian I (527-565). The book narrates in great detail the re-conquests of North Africa, Italy and southern Spain by Justinian’s armies. It also explores the massive encounters between the Romans and Persians in the east, and the apocalyptic fights in the Balkans between the Romans and barbarians.

The author pays particular attention to the tactics and battles so there is detailed analysis of all of the period engagements, such as Dara, Satala, Callinicum, Ad Decimum, Tricamarum, Rome, Scalae Veteres, Antonia Castra, Gallica, Campi Catonis, Hippis River, Busta Gallorum, Mons Lactarius, Casilinum, Archaeopolis, Phasis, and others. The narrative features the military exploits of the great Roman heroes, such as Belisarius and Narses, while not forgetting the many other overlooked generals such as Germanus, Mundus, John the nephew of Vitalian, Martinus, Dagistheus and Sittas, not to mention the dashing hero John Troglita whose achievements were immortalized by the Roman epic poet Corippus.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781473895287
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	06/28/2021
Pages:	464
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.60(d)

About the Author

Dr. Ilkka Syvänne gained his doctorate in history in 2004 from the University of Tampere in his native Finland. Since then he has written extensively about ancient and medieval warfare and his publications include: 'The Age of Hippotoxotai, Art of War in Roman Military Revival and Disaster 491-636' (Tampere UP 2004), 'The Reign of Gallienus' (Pen & Sword, 2019), the multivolume 'Military History of Late Rome' published by Pen & Sword and the critically acclaimed Caracalla. He is the co-author with Professor Katarzyna Maksymiuk of the 'Military History of Third Century Iran' (Siedlce UP, 2018) and the 'Military History of Fifth Century Iran' (Siedlce UP, 2019). He was Vice Chairman of the Finnish Society for Byzantine Studies from 2007 until 2016. He has been an Affiliated Professor of the University of Haifa since 2016. He lives in Kangasala, Finland.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vi

List of Plates vii

List of Maps viii

Introduction x

Abbreviations xi

Chapter 1 The Roman Empire in 518 1

Chapter 2 Enemies and Allies 13

Chapter 3 Justin I (9 July 518-1 August 527) 28

Chapter 4 Justinian and Theodora: The Years of Triumph 527-40 41

Chapter 5 The Persian War Nobody Wanted under Justinian in 527-32 49

Chapter 6 The Campaign Against the Vandals in 533-34 82

Chapter 7 Victories of Solomon in Libya in 534-535 106

Chapter 8 West: The Balkans and Northern Theatre of War under Justinian from 527 until 540 111

Chapter 9 West: Reconquest of Italy by Belisarius in 535-40 118

Chapter 10 Era of Military Revolts in North Africa in 536-46 179

Chapter 11 East: The Persian War in 540-45 199

Chapter 12 West: Italy 540-44: Greed, Corruption, and Incompetence 244

Chapter 13 West 544-48: Belisarius's Second Italian Campaign 251

Chapter 14 John Troglita: The Roman Hero in 546-52 272

Chapter 15 East: The Wars of the Arab Federates in 545/6-562/3 297

Chapter 16 East: The Lazic War in 549-57 301

Chapter 17 Italy after Belisarius in 548-51 322

Chapter 18 Narses the Eunuch and the Return of the Roman Glory Days 552-65 340

Chapter 19 The Last Years of Justinian 560-65 357

Chapter 20 Justinian as Emperor 364

Appendix: De scientia politica dialogus 367

Notes 371

Bibliography and Sources 390

Index 395