Theme: Justinian's fireman: the campaigns of Belisarius.

Introduction: Sidney E. Dean, 'Introduction to the theme.'
The western and central portion of the Roman Empire disintegrated during the 5th Century, to be replaced by numerous barbarian kingdoms. Culture, science, and centralized administration – the key elements of what is generally considered ‘Western Civilization’ – were preserved in the eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire centered around Constantinople. But as Justinian I ascended to the Byzantine throne in 527 AD, his domain was under pressure from all sides. Theoderic the Great ruled the Ostrogoth empire in Italy and Moesia, pursuing an anti-Byzantine policy. The Vandal fleet based in North Africa preyed on Byzantine shipping iin the Mediterranean. To the East, the cold war with the Persian Sassanids was turning hot.

The Source: Duncan B. Campbell, 'Secrets and lies - Belisarius and the anecdota of Procopius.'
Like Thucydides and Athens, the name of Procopius is inextricably linked with Constantinople. His history of the wars of the emperor Justinian and his general Belisarius is our primary source (and often our only source) for events during the middle decades of the sixth century. However, Procopius is also the author of an ‘unpublished’ work, which casts a completely different light on the emperor and his general. This is the anecdota, or “Secret History”.

Theme: Ian Hughes, 'A good general, and lucky too - Fortune as a factor in Belisarius' campaigns.' Illustrated by Johnny Shumate

The vast majority of works covering the exploits of famous generals inevitably focus upon the military abilities of the individual. With very few exceptions, the role of luck is usually relegated to the sidelines as being irrelevant. However, as the famous quote from Napoleon says, in the pre-industrial era it was recognized that Luck played a vital role in warfare, and being seen as ‘fortunate’ or as ‘favoured of (the) God(s)’ could play a major part in the formation of a reputation. Nowhere does this show itself more than with the career of Belisarius.

Theme: Ross Cowan, 'Champions and tradition - Single combat in the age of Belisarius.' Illustrated by Johnny Shumate

The sixth century AD witnessed a revival of the practice of single combat by Roman champions, usually officers of considerable rank and prestige, but these men were often of non-Roman origin or descent. To what extent did their native warrior traditions influence the revival of single combat?

Theme: Raffaele D'Amato, 'Defending the ancient capital - The long siege of Rome, AD 537-538.' Illustrated by Igor Dzis and Carlos de la Rocha

The defense of Rome by the Magister Militum Belisarius against Witigis, King of the Goths, is of prime importance for the study of tactics of 6th century Byzantium. The siege lasted one year and nine days (February 537-March 538), and counted more than 69 engagements. Procopius of Caesarea, who participated personally in the siege under the command of Belisarius, has left us a very precise description of the events.

Theme: Christopher Lillington-Martin, 'Reflections for a handbook - Reflections of theWars in the Strategicon and archaeology.' Illustrated by Andrew Brozyna.
The purpose of this article is to compare historical evidence to evaluate whether some of Belisarius’ actions described in the mid sixth century by Procopius are reflected in a military handbook known as the Strategicon, and perhaps as well in archaeology.

Theme: Paul Elliott, 'Death from above - Mattiobarbuli and plumbata.' Illustrated by Andrew Brozyna.
What was the peculiar weapon that had given the Mattiobarbuli legion their strange nickname, and which seemed to have served them so well in war? The word itself is presumed to be an error, and should have originally read martiobarbulus, meaning “little Marsbarb.” What were these darts from the gods?.

Features
Special: David Balfour, 'Boeotian crack troops - the Theban Sacred Band.' Illustrated by Angel Garcia Pintó and Carlos de la Rocha
The great stone Lion of Chaeronea rises in majestic solitude above the plains of central Greece. Bearing no inscription, it speaks with silent, but profound eloquence of the valor and sacrifice of the warriors interred beneat h its feet. The Sacred Band was born out of one of the most critical moments in the history of the ancient city of Thebes. During its four decades of existence, it established a reputat ion for invincibility, while Thebes enjoyed its period of great est triumph. the storied demise of the Sacred Band at Chaeronea in 338 BC not only signaled the end of Theban grandeur, it heralded the death of glory for all of Greece.

The debate: Paul Bardunias, 'Don't stick to glued linen - the linothorax debate.' Illustrated by Andrew Brozyna
The ancient Greeks knew that armor could be made of linen, woven from fibers of the flax plant Linum usittatisimum. (L.) Anyone at a recitation of Homer’s Iliad would have heard Ajax the Lesser described with the term ‘linothorex’, thus “linen cuirassed” (Il.2.529). The current debate centers on whether or not we can apply the term ‘linothorax’ to a specific type of armor that is widely seen depicted on vase imagery and in sculpture.