Byzantium at War. AD 600–1453
Author: John Haldon
Publisher:Osprey;September 2002
Essential Histories
ISBN: 9781841763606
96 pages;
PDF
33 Mb About this book

Byzantium survived for 800 years, yet its dominions and power fluctuated dramatically during that time. John Haldon tells the story from the days when the Empire was barely clinging on to survival, to the age when its fabulous wealth attracted Viking mercenaries and Asian nomad warriors to its armies, their very appearance on the field enough to bring enemies to terms. In 1453 the last emperor of Byzantium, Constantine XII, died fighting on the ramparts, bringing to a romantic end the glorious history of this legendary empire.

Contents

Introduction · Chronology · Background to war : The political world of Byzantium· Warring sides: Neighbours and enemies· Outbreak: Why and how did Byzantium fight wars? · The fighting: Organising for war · Portrait of a soldier: Recruitment, discipline, and life on campaign · The world around war: War and peace · Portrait of a civilian: Matrios - a farmer · How the wars ended: Death of an empire· Conclusion and consequences: War, peace, and survival · Further reading ·Byzantine rulers AD 527–1453 · Index

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