by Ilkka Syvänne
Barnsley, Eng.: Pen and Sword / Philadelphia: Casemate, 2019. Pp. xxii, 293+.
Illus., maps, plans, notes, biblio., index. $50.00. ISBN: 1783462736
The Last Age of Imperial Unity
Prof. Syvänne is the author of Aurelian and Probus, Caracalla: A Military Biography, and many other works in ancient history. This is the second installment of his impressive multi-volume treatment of Roman military history from the end of the “Crisis of the Third Century” with the accession of Diocletian in A.D. 284 through the death of Justinian, in A.D. 565, giving us an informative and often insightful look at the last ages of the Roman Empire. In the process, as he discusses military trends and developments, he also give us some valuable looks at the social, religious, and economic trends that affected the fate of the empire over these ages.
In addition to available documentary and archaeological evidence, which he often subjects to very critical analysis, Syvänne uses lessons learned from experimental archaeology and re-enactors. Very commendably, he does not pretend omniscience, and often tells us why he is interpreting events in a particular manner, while noting alternative viewpoints.
In this volume we get a look at the disastrous consequences of ineptitude and arrogance of the Emperor Julian (r., 361-363), a man who usually gets a good press, as it were, despite which he undertook an ill-advised and poorly executed invasion of Persia, the unfortunate Jovian (r. 361-364), who inherited Julian’s disaster with courage but no success, the inept Valens (r. 364-378), who totally mismanaged an encounter with the Goths with disastrous results, and the able Theodosius (r. 379-395), who managed to more or less restore the empire, but had no capable successors, and left in the hands of virtual and literal children, and forever divided into Eastern and Western realms. One dominant theme that is woven into these events is a look at the Julian’s attempt at a pagan restoration and the final triumph of Christianity, a conflict that arguably weakened the empire as much as did the Goths and the Persians.
As he tells the story of these men, Syvänne also gives us looks at Roman military activities on many fronts, often with considerable success. Particularly interesting is his treatment of Roman operations in the Red Sea and adjacent waters, provoking conflicts with such local powers as Axum and what is now Yemen, while trying to secure commercial links with those regions, and bypass Persian domination of commerce with India.
The many illustrations, some in color, maps, and plans of battles or fortresses help the reader to a better understanding of the events.
An outstanding work, particularly when read in conjunction with Kyle Harper’s masterful The Fate of Rome, on deteriorating environmental conditions across these centuries that stressed the empire’s resources, The Military History of Late Rome gives us a very good picture of the long process that has come to be known as the “Fall of Rome”. This is an invaluable read for anyone with an interest in Late Antiquity.
Other Volumes in the Series:
Military History of Late Rome, 284-361
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