The military history of late Rome AD 602-641

The Military History of Late Rome 565-602 provides a fresh analysis of the Roman Empire from the reign of Phocas (602-10) until the death of Heraclius (610-41). This was an era of unprecedented upheavals which is usually considered to have resulted in the end of antiquity. The usurpations of Phocas and Heraclius led to the collapse of the Roman defenses; The Persians conquered Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Egypt; The Avars and Slavs ravaged the Balkans; The Lombards held the upper hand in Italy; the Visigoths conquered Spain; But then happened one of the most remarkable reversals of fortune in the history of mankind. Heraclius began his holy war against the fire-worshippers. He launched a very effective counterattack against the Persians as a result of which the Romans not only defeated the Persians but actually even extended their domains at their expense, and not only this, because by 633 Heraclius was already restoring the Roman fortunes in the Balkans. This volume revises many of the previously held views of how this took place and what actually happened. The Roman armies seemed invincible and then happened yet another great reversal of fortune - the Muslims began their jihad to conquer the world. The author provides a fresh analysis of all of these upheavals; explains in detail why these reversals of fortune happened; what enabled the Romans to defeat the Persians; and why the Romans lost when they fought against the Muslims and, conversely, why the Muslims were so successful. This was an era of epic campaigns and battles all of which are explained in unprecedented detail. The epic campaigns needed equally talented commanders who include, for example, Heraclius, Chosroes II Parwez, Shahrbaraz, Shahin, Abu Bakr, Umar, Abu Ubaydah, and Khalid b. al-Walid, the Sword of Allah. This is revisionist history writing at its best. HISTORY / Military / Ancient Cover 1 Booktitle 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Acknowledgements 7 List of Plates 8 List of Maps 10 Preface 12 Abbreviations 13 Chapter One Introduction: The Roman Empire in 602 42 Chapter Two Enemies and Allies 61 Plate 82 Chapter Three hocas the Tyrant (602–10) 98 Chapter Four Heraclius (610–41) 160 Appendix I The Battle of Dhu Qar in ca. 604 373 Appendix II Untangling the Information in Movses Dasxuranci/Dasxurantsi 376 Appendix III The Battle of Filh/Pella According to Azdi (pp.144–68) 385 Notes 389 Bibliography 431 Index 437 Backcover 466 Magnificent concluding part to this ambitious series, covering from the usurpation of Phocas to the death of Heraclius.