The Byzantine Wars [Paperback]

John F. Haldon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2001

This is a history of the wars between Byzantium and its numerous foes, among them the Goths, Arabs, Slavs, Crusaders, and Ottoman Turks. By the middle of the 6th century the Byzantine emperor ruled a mighty empire that straddled Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Within 100 years, this powerful empire had been cut in half. Two centuries later the Byzantine empire was once again a power to be reckoned with that soon recovered its position as the paramount East Mediterranean and Balkan power, an empire whose fabulous wealth attracted Viking mercenaries and central Asian nomad warriors to its armies, whose very appearance on the field of battle was sometimes enough to bring enemies to terms. This book provides essential support for those interested in Byzantine history in general as well as a useful corrective to the more usual highly romanticized views of Byzantine civilization.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'Compelling' HISTORY TODAY; 'Belongs in every library of Byzantine and medieval history' SPECULUM." --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

John Haldon is Professor of Byzantine History at Princeton University. He is widely acknowledged to be one of the world's leading experts on Byzantine history and his other books include Byzantium: A History, also published by Tempus. Born in Britain, he now lives in Princeton, New Jersey. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Tempus Pub Ltd (July 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0752417959
• ISBN-13: 978-0752417950
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,821,285 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quite good!, October 1, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Byzantine Wars (Paperback)

This short book gives a strategic, operational, and tactical overview of the Byzantine army in action. It is not a book about the Byzantine army as an institution; even the themes are given a relatively brief look. Byzantine society and religion are only peripherally mentioned. The first campaign studied is Dara (530) ; the last is Myriokephalon (1176). There is an easy to follow description of the Yarmuk campaign against the Arabs. Several battles against the Bulgars are also described with clarity. About half the battles discussed are Byzantine defeats. This book, focused as it is, goes a long way toward filling a gap in Byzantine studies.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introductory survey, January 1, 2009

By 

Kirialax (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Byzantine Wars (Paperback)

Dr. Haldon has crafted an excellent introductory survey of Byzantine military history. Polybius himself would be proud to read the coherent and illuminating geographical descriptions provided in this book. An exceptional selection of maps accompany the many photos of the battle sites, as well as a useful glossary. The bibliography is atypical, and instead of simply providing citations, it provides some information on the sources and scholarly works, all intended to provide the reader with "further reading" material rather than straight citations. I prefer standard citations, but as this is an introductory text, it is quite acceptable, and more useful for someone unfamiliar with the sources.

Each chapter typically has sections on changes in strategy and tactics, followed by a few examples of battles. A little information is present on variations of equipment over time. The battle narratives are very well done, and easy to follow. I have never read better accounts of Yarmuk and Manzikert. The battles are rounded out with a good variety of Byzantine victories and defeats, and enough information is present to give the reader an idea of exactly who the Byzantines were fighting and how they fought.

My only quibble with this book is that it is too short, and at times it feels like Dr. Haldon has a word limit. The wars of Herakleios aren't even mentioned, and the sections on Basil II and Alexios Komnenos were a little brief. However, none of those complaints are enough to warrant knocking off a star. The theme system could have used some elaboration, but if readers want more they can look at Treadgold's mediocre 'Byzantium and its army, 284-1081', or Haldon's own 'Warfare, State and Society in the Byzantine World'.

In sum, this is an excellent survey. There is a lot of good stuff in here for beginners, while more advanced students will find Dr. Haldon's battle narratives and maps to be of use. There is no reason for any student of Byzantine, medieval or near Eastern military history to not have this book. It begins with Dara commanded by Belisarios, and ends with the Byzantine defeat at Myriokephalon under Manuel Komnenos in 1176.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a gem for gamers, January 10, 2002

By 

J. Scarborough (Birmingham, Alabama - United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Byzantine Wars (Paperback)

This book is a gem for historical gamers.

The book contains a description of selected battles and campaigns for the Byzanitine Empire during the 5th to 12th centuries. Persians, Arabs, Slavs, Rus, and Turks are all included. Lot's of background information

"The Byzantine Wars" is a well written, edited, and professionally presented tome. With smooth prose, the book is engaging. I throughly enjoyed reading it. Many diagrams, maps, and photographs are included and clearly support the presentation. I especially liked the contemporary photos of the battlefields and fortresses. Although, the maps will be familiar to Haldon's past readers. The only real drawback to the work is the author's bibliograhic style. Primary and secondary sources are listed for each section, but the author fails to consistently distinguish between what the sources say and his own conclusions.

This book is especially recommended this book for gamers. Scenarios on the hoof. "The Byzantine Wars" helps fill a gaping hole in Byzantine military history. I only wish it was less like a super Osprey book.

I bought my copy through the mail from On Military Matters in New Jersey. ...Buy one now. After all if the book sells well, perhaps they'll make more.