Byzantium and Its Army, 284-1081 - Softcover

Treadgold, Warren

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0804731632 ISBN 13: 9780804731638

Publisher: Stanford University Press, 1998

Synopsis

The Byzantine Empire was almost always ready to fight, and often fought for its life. During much of its history its provinces were military districts called themes, and acclamation by the army, not coronation or inheritance, was what made a man emperor. The army overthrew twenty-odd rulers, and tried to oust many more. It was large and expansive but on the whole it served its purpose well. Over eight centuries, despite losing a surprising number of battles, the army succeeded in preserving both itself and Byzantium. In view of its importance in Byzantine history, it is surprising that this volume is the first general book on the Byzantine army in any language. The author traces the army’s impact on the Byzantine state and society from the army’s reorganization under Diocletian (284-305) until its disintegration in the aftermath of the battle of Manzikert (1071). He suggests solutions to some major unresolved questions of Byzantine military history: how big was the army, how was it organized, how much of it was cavalry, how much was it paid, how was it supplied, when and why did it receive land grants in the themes, and why, after surviving so many disasters, did it fail to survive the not particularly disastrous eleventh century?

About this title

About the Author:

Warren Treadgold is Professor of History at Florida International University.

About this edition

• Publisher: Stanford University Press
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0804731632
• ISBN 13: 9780804731638
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 268