Fighting Emperors of Byzantium

(Paperback)

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Description

The 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 warrior 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. SELLING POINTS: . Assesses the contribution of those Emperors whose military leadership determined the survival of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire for a thousand years after the fall of Rome. . Shows how Byzantines adapted traditional Roman discipline and training to changing modes of warfare and new enemies. . Concise biographies full of human interest: heroism, tragedy, brutality and an epic struggle for survival. . Shows how the defence of Christendom rested upon the military might of the Emperors in Constantinople. . Written in a very accessible style. AUTHOR: John Carr has enjoyed a career as a journalist, correspondent and broadcaster (The Times, Wall Street Journal Europe, Vatican Radio), mainly in the Mediterranean and particularly Greece, where he now resides.

Reviews

"Informative, fascinating, exceptionally well written, organized and presented, Fighting Emperors of Byzantium will be of special interest and value to students of Roman History in general, and the history of Byzantium in particular."-- "Midwest Book Review"

Author Bio

Throughout that career he has been steeped in Greek affairs, ancient and modern, which gave him the incentive to reinvent himself as a military historian specializing in southern Europe. Since his teens he has also involved himself in music, and recently recorded a CD of self-composed instrumental rock, his main spare-time interest apart from writing.