Byzantine military history

[S SEVERUS]

Would it be possible to put an other title in the research arena : Byzantine Military history and Archeology?

[Praefectusclassis]

Yes it's possible, if there's enough people who want it.

[S SEVERUS]

Okay thx for the answer. I hope that some other members join me in my request because it's a very interesting periode but you don't find much books about the military history of this period in comparison with the roman one.

[Goffredo]

Hi
I am in favor because I think the distinction between roman and byzantine is too often overstated. I see great continuity and believe we can learn from such an initiative. Personally I am interested in eastern roman matters for at least 2-3 centuries after the nominal fall of Rome, not that what happened later is not interesting but that with the losses to the arabs it is harder to recognize the old roman world order.

[Comerus Gallus]

How about divide Latins Byzantines in roman section then the later greeks in other?

[Goffredo]

If the scenario was "learn something new, but not pertinent", then I would say "open your own forum". But I really do believe that we can learn something new and it be quite pertinent.

1) Want to know why West fell? Think you have an answer? Then it better give an account of what happend in the East, else its not credibile.

2) Why did West lose more and more control to germanic generalissimos? The germanic presence in high levels of military power started a generation before Alaric way back in the late 4th century (think of Arbogast that almost succeeded in putting up an emperor!). The problems of the West are better understood if you compare with the East.

3) Why were the two halves in many ways antagonistic. Had they collaborated more things could have gone quite differently. Why did Huns go West? Because they didn't go East! There is more than some suspect that the East actually encouraged the Huns to go west knowing and actually counting on damage being done to further weaken the antagonist half, rather than organize with the west a coordinated effort to circumvent the hunnic threat. Similarly why did the west get no help to kick the vandals out of north africa. The germanics were deep in roman territory with every intention of staying and only a concerted effort could have had any hope of reversing, at least temporarily, the situation. Do you think the east romans were wise and simply knew there was no real hope and intervention was a lost cause or they let many things happen, and quite possibily even catalized and manuevered other things to happen, because they saw the western half as an annoying entity.

Then, as a roman army fanatics, I ask myself
5) How much army tradition survived intact and for how long? Would How similar were Aetius's and Majoran's armies with Justinian's? How about Heraclius?

[Robert Vermaat]

The germanic presence in high levels of military power started a generation before Alaric way back in the late 4th century (think of Arbogast that almost succeeded in putting up an emperor!). The problems of the West are better understood if you compare with the East.

I'd say you can go way back with that influence - even Constantine I came to power and succeeded in hanging on to that power with the aid of Germanic commanders and troops.

[tlclark]

Yes please!! Let's do this.

I would just like to ditto all of Goffredo's points.

The distinction between 4th C. Roman and 10th C. Byzantine military practice is at times less significant than the difference between 1st and 4th C. Roman practice.

There is a great deal of cultural and military continuity. If we have to consider a cut-off date the two obvious ones are 1453 or 1205.

Plus we get to talk about Greek-Fire!! Let's develop an award for the first successful reconstructionist that doesn't self-immolate himself!! :wink:

Travis

[hoplite14gr]

Konstantinos Paleologos in the night of 28th May 1453.
Enjoy

[Comerus Gallus]

Konstantinos Paleologos in the night of 28th May 1453.
Enjoy

hock: hock: hock: hock:

Who Dit it? I must Thanks!

thats another Laudes! :wink:

[hoplite14gr]

Konstantinos Paleologos in the night of 28th May 1453.
Enjoy

hock: hock: hock: hock:

Who Dit it? I must Thanks!

thats another Laudes! :wink:

Nikos Panos stikes again.

[Comerus Gallus]

Ooooh! he is the Best! D

Have you seen those?

1
2
3

I use to have a bronze bust picture of Ioannes IV P. its not a modern reconstruction, but I dunno where I put it.

[FAVENTIANVS]

I am for the Byzantine Military history and Archeology section.