History of Byzantine Technology

[Eleatic Guest]

Hello,

any books or articles on the subject of Byzantine Technology? Both overviews and specialist literature would do. I heard the field is totally neglected. Is this true?

Regards

[Eleatic Guest]

Nothing?

[Goffredo]

It is depressing that there is very little interest for Byzantine affairs and history.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

not really so little....but I believe the secret of Greek-fire was lost with the last emperor....there is actually quite a lot of interest in this area, but apparently very little in the way of publications?

[Sean Manning]

Lionel Casson's books on ancient maritime affairs talk about Byzantine affairs a bit. David Niccole's two-volume book on medieval military technology also gives them a reasonable amount of coverage. But unfortunately, the Greek empire of the middle ages doesn't get as much attention as the German one ... probably because we don't see it as an ancestor of our own culture.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Yes that is so odd too, as I am half Greek, and was totally ignorant of the Greek aspect of the eastern empire until recent years... :? oops: considering the influence of greece on western culture one would have thought this aspect of greek history would have recieved more prominence, but I suppose 400 years of Ottoman occupation help diminish that star.

[Eleatic Guest]

But unfortunately, the Greek empire of the middle ages doesn't get as much attention as the German one ... probably because we don't see it as an ancestor of our own culture.

Which, thanks God, is going to change gradually with the rise of the eastern-orthodox element in the EU. The Byzantine Empire is integral part of Europes cultural and historical heritage. Period.

[hoplite14gr]

Some copies of Byzantine military manual and please check that thread:
http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic. ... &start=420

Kind regards

[Ioannes_Ahenobarbus]

A History of Greek Fire and Gunpowder by J.R. Partington. A pretty good, engaging book. I have this one, but not really any others about specifically Byzantine military technology. There are a few articles you can find on JSTOR that I have, send me a PM if you are interested and I will try to get them to you.

And yes, it is a largely neglected (I hesitate to actually say 'ignored') topic. I am doing my master's on Byzantium now, so I know there are actually quite a few works out there, but not when compared to most other time periods.

[Sean Manning]

More Byzantine historians writing in English is definitely a good thing. I understand that work can be hard to find, though (kind of a vicious circle, since people writing about a topic create interest in it). I'm reminded that Harry Turtledove wanted to become a Byzantine historian. He had to become a writer (first technical works then SF/FA and historical fiction) because of the lack of work available in the US ... Edit: Not that I mean to discourage you, just to commiserate.

[Eleatic Guest]

Thanks to John I stumbled across there collections of papers on Byzantine warfare and culture:

http://www.deremilitari.org/resources/byzantine.htm

http://www.hup.harvard.edu/publishing_p ... ntine.html

[Ioannes_Ahenobarbus]

Great resources for everyone; the Dumbarton Oaks texts are fantastic.