Fighting Emperors of ByzantiumThe Eastern Roman or 'Byzantine' Empire had to fight for survival throughout its long history so military ability was a prime requisite for a successful Emperor. John Carr concentrates on the personal and military histories of the more capable war fighters to occupy the imperial throne at Constantinople. They include men like it's founder Constantine I , Julian, Theodosius, Justinian, Heraclius, Leo I, Leo III, Basil I, Basil II (the Bulgar-slayer), Romanus IV Diogenes, Isaac Angelus, and Constantine XI. ??Byzantium's emperors, and the military establishment they created and maintained, can be credited with preserving Rome's cultural legacy and, from the seventh century, forming a bulwark of Christendom against aggressive Islamic expansion. For this the empire's military organization had to be of a high order, a continuation of Roman discipline and skill adapted to new methods of warfare. Thus was the Empire, under the leadership of its fighting emperors, able to endure for almost a thousand years after the fall of Rome. |
Contents
From Rome to Byzantium Constantine the Great and his Successors | 1 |
Goths Huns and Theodosius | 36 |
Justinian I The War Manager | 65 |
Heraclius Christian Soldier | 82 |
Leo the Isaurian Saves Europe | 107 |
Blood on the Floor A Cacophony of Emperors | 120 |
The Macedonians | 138 |
The BulgarSlayer and Lesser Figures | 165 |
The Komnene Revival and The Crusades | 196 |
Angeli and Latins | 216 |
Constantine Goes Down Fighting | 228 |
Epilogue | 258 |
Notes and References | 260 |
267 | |
Byzantine Emperors 3131453 | 268 |
270 | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Alexios Alp Arslan Andronikos Antioch Arab Arslan Asia Minor attack Avars Bardas Basileios battle Belisarius Blachernai Black Sea Bosporus brother Bulgars Byzantine army Byzantine Empire Byzantine navy Byzantium caliph cavalry century Christian church commander Constans Constantine Constantine XI Constantinople Crusaders Danube death defence died Doukas East Eastern emperor empire empress enemy Europe father fighting fleet force Gate Golden Horn Goths Greece Greek Greek Fire hand head Heraclius Hippodrome Holy icons imperial Irene Italy John Julian Justin Justinian Kantakouzenos Khosru king Komnenos Krum later Leo’s Licinius Manuel marched Maurikios Mehmet Michael Michael VII military Muslim named navy Nikephoros officer ordered Orthodox palace Paleologos Persian Petchenegs Phokas Pope Psellos reign Roman Rome sailed Sancta Sophia Sea of Marmara seized Seljuk senior sent Shahrbaraz ships Skleros soldiers sultan Theodora Theodosius Theophano Theophilos Thessalonica Thrace throne Tiberius took troops Turkish Turks Tzimiskes Valentinian Venetians walls West Western Zeno