Byzantium Triumphant: The Military History of the Byzantines 959-1025

by Julian Romane

Overview

Byzantium Triumphant is a detailed narrative of the wars of the Byzantine emperors, Nicephorus II Phocas, John I Tzimiskes and Basil II (the Bulgar Slayer).

Byzantium Triumphant describes in detail the wars of the Byzantine emperors Nicephorus II Phocas, his nephew and assassin John I Tzimiskes, and Basil II. The operations, battles and drama of their various bitter struggles unfold, depicting the new energy and improved methods of warfare developed in the late tenth century.

These emperors were at war on all fronts, fighting for survival and dominance against enemies including the Arab caliphates, Bulgars (Basil II was dubbed by later authors the Bulgar Slayer) and the Holy Roman Empire, not to mention dealing with civil wars and rebellions. Julian Romane's careful research, drawing particularly on the evidence of Byzantine military manuals, allows him to produce a gripping narrative underpinned by a detailed understanding of the Byzantine tactics, organization, training and doctrine.

While essentially a military history, there is, inevitably with the Byzantine emperors, a healthy dose of court intrigue, assassination and political skullduggery too.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781473845923
Publisher:	Pen & Sword Books Limited
Publication date:	05/20/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

Julian Patrick Romane has a BA from Beloit College Wisconsin and an MA from the University of Colorado. He has been fascinated with ancient/early medieval military history for half a century. He has published articles in several journals and is the editor and/or' translator of several books on historical and political subjects. His first monograph, _Byzantium Triumphant_, was published by Pen & Sword in 2015. He lives in Illinois, USA.

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Introduction: Byzantium Background ix

1 Romanus II: The Conquest of Crete and War in the East 1

2 Nicephorus Phocas Seizes Power 12

3 Nicephorus II Phocas: the Conquest of Cilicia 21

4 Nicephorus II Phocas: Wars in the East and the West 30

5 The Murder of Nicephorus II: John Tzimiskes Seizes Power 39

6 John I Tzimiskes: War with Svyatoslav in Bulgaria, and Rebellion in Asia 49

7 John I Tzimiskes: War with Svyatoslav and Battle of Dorystolon 59

8 John I Tzimiskes: Victorious Emperor 68

9 Basil II and Constantine VIII: Civil War in the East 77

10 Basil II and Constantine VIII: Wars in the East and West 86

11 Basil II and Constantine VIII: Wars in the East and West II 95

12 Basil II and Constantine VIII: Basil Sets the East in Order 104

13 Basil II and Constantine VIII: Basil Battles in the Balkans 113

14 Basil II and Constantine VIII: Basil Victorious in the Balkans and Asia Minor 121

Conclusion 131

Appendix I Sources 134

Appendix II Empire and Horse Soldiers 143

Appendix III Land and Soldiers 178

Appendix IV The Great Palace 185

Bibliography 192

Index 202

Editorial Reviews

"This book has been carefully researched and provides fresh insights into an empire that bridges the period from the fall of Rome to the new nations and religions of the Middle Ages. The text is supported by an interesting monochrome photo-plate section. Strongly Recommended."

Firetrench

Byzantium Triumphant is a dramatic and well-documented military history of this little-known era.

The NYMAS Review

"Romane's account of survival and triumph under such circumstances is fascinating..."

United Nations of Roma Victrix (UNRV)

"...a very good military history of the period."

Balkan Wargamer

"Overall this is a good contribution to Byzantine history, bringing the period alive in a way that not many books of military history manage. Byzantium emerges as a living culture in its own right, and not as the footnote to Rome or declining power so often seen."

History of War