Michael Whitby - Böcker

Theophylact Simocatta, the last historian of classical antiquity, has in the past deterred investigators by the idiosyncrasies of his style. Through examination of Theophylact's narrative, and collation with other available evidence, Dr Whitby has unpicked the obscurities, biases, and errors to clear the way for a more accurate appreciation of the events of the reign of Emperor Maurice (582-602). Maurice's reign witnessed great struggles as the Romans attempted to defend their traditional frontiers on the Danube and in Mesopotamia and Armenia. In both areas, Maurice achieved great successes: in the Balkans, migrations of Slavs and invasions by Avars were held in check, if not completely halted; and in the east the emperor reinstated Khusro II, the legitimate Persian king, and attempted to forge a long-term peace. These events are important both in the historical geography of the Balkans and eastern frontier, and for understanding the fate of the post-Justinian Roman Empire. Whitby reveals the History as a work worthy of serious study in its own right as a product of the last flowering of classical Greek literature in antiquity.

This volume brings together seven seminal papers by the great radical historian Geoffrey de Ste. Croix, who died in 2000, on early Christian topics, with an especial focus on persecution and martyrdom. Christian martyrdom is a topic which conjures up ready images of inhumane persecutors confronted by Christian heroes who perish for the instant but win the long-term battle for reputation. In five of these essays Ste. Croix scrutinizes the evidence to reveal the significant role of Christian themselves, first as volunteer martyrs and later, after the triumph of Christianity in the early fourth century, as organizers of much more effective persecutions. A sixth essay pursues the question of the control of Christianity through a comprehensive study of the context for one of the Church's most important and divisive doctrinal decisions, at the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451); the key role of the emperor and his senior secular officials is revealed, contrary to the prevailing interpretation of Church historians. Finally the attitudes of the early Church towards property and slavery are reviewed, to show the divide between the Gospel message and actual practice.

In the early third century AD, the Roman Empire was a force to be reckoned with, controlling vast territories and wielding enormous political power from Scotland to the Sahara. Four hundred years later, this mighty empire was falling apart in the face of ongoing problems and the government's failure to deal with them. In this challenging new volume, Michael Whitby tackles the fundamental issues (such as the rise of Christianity) that led to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, and offers a startling reassessment of the performance of the late Roman army.

How can you off-balance your enemy? When is the best moment to deliver a counter-attack? What is the effect of shock action or defence in depth? Certain tactical concepts have stood the test of time. This ground-breaking book examines, in a series of case studies, 25 of the key tactics that have achieved victory through the ages. Drawing on examples of battles from around the globe, on land, at sea and in the air, and across history, the authors reveal the enduring value of each tactic in clear and compelling descriptions and analysis. General Robert E. Lee, although heavily outnumbered achieved a remarkable victory through an audacious flanking manoeuvre at Chancellorsville in 1863; the same bold move had been used over 600 years before by the king of France at Bouvines. For the Parthian general Surenas at Carrhae in 53 BC and again for Kitchener at Omdurman in 1989, an overwhelming concentration of firepower ensured a decisive outcome, while drawing the enemy led to victory both for Saladin at Hattin in 1187 and for the Russians against Napoleon in 1812. The book examines how Allied armies seized and retained the initiative through the airborne landings in Normandy in 1944, and how Soviet General Zhukov pierced enemy lines and penetrated in depth using Blitzkriegtactics in Mongolia in 1939. Evocative photographs, illustrations and paintings, and a series of specially commissioned battle plans complete this detailed study of the most successful tactics of all time. Written by leading experts, How to Win on the Battlefield will prove indispensable reading for historians, military enthusiasts and business leaders.

With Volume 14 The Cambridge Ancient History concludes its story. This latest volume embraces the wide range of approaches and scholarship which have in recent decades transformed our view of Late Antiquity. In particular, traditional political and social history has been enormously enhanced by integrating the rich evidence of Christian writing, and the constantly expanding results of archaeological research. A picture emerges of a period of considerable military and political disruption, but also of vibrant intellectual and cultural activity. The volume begins with a series of narrative chapters. These are followed by sections on government and institutions, economy and society, and religion and culture. A section on the provinces and the non-Roman world marks the rise of new and distinct political and cultural entities. This volume, and the CAH, ends in around AD 600, before the Arab conquests shattered for ever what remained of the unity of the Roman world.

Warfare was the single biggest preoccupation of historians in antiquity. In recent decades fresh textual interpretations, numerous new archaeological discoveries and a much broader analytical focus emphasising social, economic, political and cultural approaches have transformed our understanding of ancient warfare. Volume I of this two-volume History reflects these developments and provides a systematic account, written by a distinguished cast of contributors, of the various themes underlying the warfare of the Greek world from the Archaic to the Hellenistic period and of Early and Middle Republican Rome. For each broad period developments in troop-types, equipment, strategy and tactics are discussed. These are placed in the broader context of developments in international relations and the relationship of warfare to both the state and wider society. Numerous illustrations, a glossary and chronology, and information about the authors mentioned supplement the text. This will become the primary reference work for specialists and non-specialists alike.

Warfare was the single biggest preoccupation of historians in antiquity. In recent decades fresh textual interpretations, numerous new archaeological discoveries and a much broader analytical focus emphasising social, economic, political and cultural approaches have transformed our understanding of ancient warfare. Volume II of this two-volume History reflects these developments and provides a systematic account, written by a distinguished cast of contributors, of the various themes underlying the warfare of the Roman world from the Late Republic to the sixth-century empire of Justinian and his successors. For each broad period developments in troop-types, equipment, strategy and tactics are discussed. These are placed in the broader context of developments in international relations and the relationship of warfare to both the state and wider society. Numerous illustrations, a glossary and chronology, and information about the authors mentioned supplement the text. This will become the primary reference work for specialists and non-specialists alike.

This volume introduces the reader to every important aspect of the society of Sparta, the dominant power in southern Greece from the seventh century BC and the great rival of democratic Athens in the fifth and fourth centuries. During this period Sparta evolved a unique social and political system that combined egalitarian structures, military ideals and brutal oppression, and permitted male citizens to focus on the practice of war. The system fascinated scholars at the time and has done so ever since: its outlines are clear, but because of the nature of the evidence almost all detailed aspects of Spartan social practices and constitutional affairs are open to debate. Michael Whitby introduces and presents some of the most outstanding contributions to the history of Sparta. Together they cover the key aspects of Spartan history and society: its problematic early history, social and economic organisation (especially the different categories of citizens and non-citizens), international relations and military achievements, religious practices and culture, the role of women, and sexual conduct and values. He has chosen them partly for their clarity and importance, and partly too for the questions they raise about the problems of studying Sparta - what evidence to consider, what precautions need to be observed in considering it, and what sorts of conclusions it is reasonable to draw. His intention is not to pretend that definitive answers can be offered to the main problems of Sparta but to encourage readers to formulate their own approaches and judgements with due respect for the limitations of the evidence and awareness of the benefits of informed speculation.

Commander A.F.C. Layard, RN, wrote almost daily in his diary, in bold, neat script, from the time he entered the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1913 until his retirement in 1947. The pivotal 1943-45 years of this edited volume offer an extraordinarily full and honest chronicle, revealing Layard's preoccupations, both with the daily details and with the strain and responsibility of wartime command at sea.Enhanced by Michael Whitby's explanatory essays, the diary sheds light on the inshore anti-submarine campaign in British waters; discusses pivotal events such as the invasions of North Africa and Normandy and convoys to Russia; describes encounters with important personalities; and records the final surrender of German U-boats. It is a highly personal piece of history that greatly enhances our understanding of the Canadian naval experience and the Atlantic war as a whole.A consummately well-researched work, Commanding Canadians will appeal to both naval scholars, as well as to general readers interested in military history.

Hospitals monitoring is becoming more complex and is increasing both because staff want their data analysed and because of increasing mandated surveillance.  This book provides a suite of functions in R, enabling scientists and data analysts working in infection management and quality improvement departments in hospitals, to analyse their often non-independent data which is frequently in the form of trended, over-dispersed and sometimes auto-correlated time series; this is often difficult to analyse using standard office software. This book provides much-needed guidance on data analysis using R for the growing number of scientists in hospital departments who are responsible for producing reports, and who may have limited statistical expertise.This book explores data analysis using R and is aimed at scientists in hospital departments who are responsible for producing reports, and who are involved in improving safety. Professionals working in the healthcare quality and safety community will also find this book of interestStatistical Methods for Hospital Monitoring with R: Provides functions to perform quality improvement and infection management data analysis.Explores the characteristics of complex systems, such as self-organisation and emergent behaviour, along with their implications for such activities as root-cause analysis and the Pareto principle that seek few key causes of adverse events.Provides a summary of key non-statistical aspects of hospital safety and easy to use functions.Provides R scripts in an accompanying web site enabling analyses to be performed by the reader http://www.wiley.com/go/hospital_monitoringCovers issues that will be of increasing importance in the future, such as, generalised additive models, and complex systems, networks and power laws.

Focused on battle narratives of the classical world on land and at sea, this three-volume reference covers Archaic Greece in the eighth century BC to the rise of Islam in the seventh century AD. Three-volume reference on land and sea battles of the classical world from Archaic Greece in the eighth century BC to the rise of Islam in the seventh century ADConcentrates on narratives of specific battles, sieges, campaigns, and warsContains the most complete and up-to-date scholarship on the subjectOrganized by individual wars, with chronological entries for each battleBrings together a distinguished, international group of experts on ancient military historyGet the digital version at www.encyclopediaofancientbattles.com

The Admirals: Canada’s Senior Naval Leadership in the Twentieth Century fills an important void in the history of Canada’s navy. Those who carry the burden of high command have a critical niche in not only guiding the day-to-day concerns of running an armed service but in ensuring that it is ready to face the challenges of the future. Canada’s leading naval historians present analytical articles on the officers who led the navy from its foundation in 1910 to the unification in 1968. Six former Maritime Commanders provide personal reflections on command. The result is a valuable biographical compendium for anyone interested in the history of the Canadian Navy, the Canadian Forces, or military and naval leadership in general.

Theodore of Sykeon is one of the archetypal holy men of the late Roman world, a person whose intense ascetic regime earned him fame in the villages and cities of his Galatian homeland, where he was called upon to work a variety of miracles – cures for various ailments, prevention of natural disasters, and the exorcism of unclean spirits both from individuals and groups. His reputation for holiness led to appointment as bishop of Anastasiopolis, a responsibility he did not enjoy since its administrative commitments compromised his ascetic regime and conflicted with his sense of social justice. The location of his village on the main highway across Anatolia ensured that his fame was soon translated into contacts with travelling dignitaries, and this brought him to the attention of successive emperors and patriarchs of Constantinople. He made three trips to the Holy Land and visited the capital three times, where he met the emperors Maurice, Phocas, and Heraclius as well as the patriarchs Cyriacus, Thomas, and Sergius. Theodore’s disciple George, a future leader of the Sykeon monasteries, began composing this Life shortly after Theodore’s death in 613. Soon thereafter, his body was removed to Constantinople as a talisman, an event celebrated by Nicholas the Treasurer.

Theodore Syncellus was a prominent member of the clergy in Constantinople in the 620s, being a close advisor to Patriarch Sergius. As such he was chosen to participate in a delicate mission to the Avar khagan during the siege of the city in 626 and to deliver celebratory sermons. The first, ‘On the Robe’, commemorated the restoration of the miraculous relic of the Virgin’s Robe to the shrine at Blachernae, just outside the city walls, after it had been removed to protect it from Avar looting in 623. The second, ‘On the Siege’, analysed and gave thanks for the city’s escape from a joint attack by Avars and Persians in 626. The two speeches provide important evidence for popular devotion in the capital, especially to the Virgin Mary who now acquires the status of the city's special protector, for the role of Patriarch Sergius and others in leading the city during the long absence on campaign of the emperor Heraclius, and for how contemporary events could be fitted into Biblical contexts to elevate Constantinople and its inhabitants to the status of the new Israel. This new English translation of these two sermons (the first complete translation of 'On the Robe' and the first of 'On the Siege') sheds light on both the religious history of the eastern Roman Empire at the end of antiquity and on events in seventh-century Constantinople.

Theodore of Sykeon is one of the archetypal holy men of the late Roman world, a person whose intense ascetic regime earned him fame in the villages and cities of his Galatian homeland, where he was called upon to work a variety of miracles – cures for various ailments, prevention of natural disasters, and the exorcism of unclean spirits both from individuals and groups. His reputation for holiness led to appointment as bishop of Anastasiopolis, a responsibility he did not enjoy since its administrative commitments compromised his ascetic regime and conflicted with his sense of social justice. The location of his village on the main highway across Anatolia ensured that his fame was soon translated into contacts with travelling dignitaries, and this brought him to the attention of successive emperors and patriarchs of Constantinople. He made three trips to the Holy Land and visited the capital three times, where he met the emperors Maurice, Phocas, and Heraclius as well as the patriarchs Cyriacus, Thomas, and Sergius. Theodore’s disciple George, a future leader of the Sykeon monasteries, began composing this Life shortly after Theodore’s death in 613. Soon thereafter, his body was removed to Constantinople as a talisman, an event celebrated by Nicholas the Treasurer.

In Late Antiquity Gaza was an exceptionally prosperous city, with wealth derived from a flourishing wine trade across the Mediterranean, as well as an intellectual centre whose leading lights combined traditional classical and Christian learning. Bishop Porphyry is famous for effecting the transformation in the early fourth century AD of this thriving community from a bastion of pagan beliefs into a Christian city, primarily through the destruction of the main temple to the god Marnas and other pagan sanctuaries and the working of miracles for the benefit of the local population. Conversion was neither easy nor guaranteed, since the leaders of local society at the time were solidly pagan and prepared to mobilize violence to defend their traditional ways. His success required missions to the empire’s capital, Constantinople, where he interacted with the Patriarch John Chrysostom and imperial authorities. On one occasion he managed with the help of Empress Eudoxia to outmanoeuvre Emperor Arcadius into acceding to his request for imperial authority and physical backing to secure the closure and demolition of temples. The two key versions of Porphyry’s biography are here presented together in new translations for the first time.

The Council of Nicaea in 325 was a momentous event in the history of both the Christian Church and the Later Roman empire. Summoned by the Christian emperor Constantine, Nicaea came to be remembered as the first ecumenical council which composed the original Nicene Creed still used in modified form in most Christian churches today. The assembled bishops gathered to debate the theological questions raised when the Alexandrian presbyter Arius clashed with his bishop Alexander regarding the precise divinity of the Son of God and the Son’s relationship with the Father. Through the surviving documents from the years surrounding Nicaea we can explore the doctrinal and ecclesiastical tensions which fuelled the so-called ‘Arian’ Controversy which divided Christians across the fourth century and beyond. At the same time, the Council of Nicaea also debated the celebration of Easter and issues of Church discipline, while coming to terms with Christianity’s new prestige symbolised by the presence at the council of emperor Constantine. The documents translated here are of great individual value but presenting them as a collection with introductions and commentary allows a closer re-examination of their significance and disputed chronology and the importance of Nicaea in a crucial formative period for the Christian Roman empire.

Theodore Syncellus was a prominent member of the clergy in Constantinople in the 620s, being a close advisor to Patriarch Sergius. As such he was chosen to participate in a delicate mission to the Avar khagan during the siege of the city in 626 and to deliver celebratory sermons. The first, ‘On the Robe’, commemorated the restoration of the miraculous relic of the Virgin’s Robe to the shrine at Blachernae, just outside the city walls, after it had been removed to protect it from Avar looting in 623. The second, ‘On the Siege’, analysed and gave thanks for the city’s escape from a joint attack by Avars and Persians in 626. The two speeches provide important evidence for popular devotion in the capital, especially to the Virgin Mary who now acquires the status of the city's special protector, for the role of Patriarch Sergius and others in leading the city during the long absence on campaign of the emperor Heraclius, and for how contemporary events could be fitted into Biblical contexts to elevate Constantinople and its inhabitants to the status of the new Israel. This new English translation of these two sermons (the first complete translation of 'On the Robe' and the first of 'On the Siege') sheds light on both the religious history of the eastern Roman Empire at the end of antiquity and on events in seventh-century Constantinople.