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Warfare, State and Society in the Byzantine World is the first comprehensive study of warfare and the Byzantine world from the sixth to the twelfth century.
The book examines Byzantine attitudes to warfare, the effects of war on society and culture, and the relations between the soldiers, their leaders and society. The communications, logistics, resources and manpower capabilities of the Byzantine Empire are explored to set warfare in its geographical as well as historical context. In addition to the strategic and tactical evolution of the army, this book analyses the army in campaign and in battle, and its attitudes to violence in the context of the Byzantine Orthodox Church.
The Byzantine Empire has an enduring fascination for all those who study it, and Warfare, State and Society is a colourful study of the central importance of warfare within it.
List of contents
Preface and acknowledgements Abbreviations of journals and collections Maps -- Introduction -- 1 Fighting for peace: attitudes to warfare in Byzantium -- 2 Warfare and the East Roman state: geography and strategy -- 3 Protect and survive: a brief history of East Roman strategic arrangements -- 4 Organizing for war: the administration of military structures -- 5 The army at war: campaigns -- 6 The army at war: combat -- 7 Warfare and society -- Warfare and society in Byzantium: some concluding remarks Appendices -- 1 Weights and loads -- 2 Feeding armies: grain -- 3 Daily rations -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index.
About the author
John Haldon is Professor of History and Director of the Centre for Byzantine, Ottoman and Modern Greek Studies at the University of Birmingham. He is the author of several books, including Byzantium in the 7th Century (Cambridge, 1990) and State, Army and Society (Variorum, 1995).
Summary
This work examines the nature of zantine warfare and its relationship with society at large. This is the first comprehensive study of warfare and the Byzantine world from the sixth to the twelfth century. The book examines Byzantine attitudes to warfare, the effects of war on society and culture, and the relations between the soldiers, their leaders and society.
Report
'Byzantine studies need more works like this ... this is a book of ambitious scope, with a lot to offer readers across a wide range of expertise.' - History
`Haldon has written an excellent compact, balanced, and intelligent broad synthesis of information about the Byzantine army. Within his page limits he has produced an admirable analytical study and comprehensive manual of information. His observations are intelligent and well organized. - Walter E. Kaegi, 2001
