The author traces the evolution of the Eastern Roman army during a period marked by profound political and social upheaval. Rather than engaging in perhaps contentious academic debates (which are more than likely way over my head), the work offers a lucid and well-supported narrative of how the Eastern Empire constructed a distinct military identity. This process is contextualised within the broader challenges posed by external threats, including my two favourite ‘enemies of Rome’ the Goths and Sassanid Persians as well as interminable and recurrent internal crises.
Particularly informative are the sections devoted to the development of the comitatenses and limitanei, which are presented with clarity. The explanations are unambiguous, and provided me with a better understanding of these key military formations.
The book is further enhanced by a variety of illustrations, including detailed colour plates (each with an attached commentary), map and diagrams. These visual aids contributed to my understanding of the material culture and organisational structure of the Byzantine army, and will be of particular interest to both scholars, war gamers and enthusiasts of military history.
In sum, Birth of the Byzantine Army, 476–641 CE serves as an effective introduction to a transitional era often overlooked between the ‘Late Roman’ and ‘Byzantine’ periods. The work succeeds in providing a concise, digestible overview of the army’s transformation, making it a valuable addition to Byzantine military studies.
ISBN: 978-1-804518-28-1 291 pages. Paperback
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