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To: Antoninus

I have to admit being mostly ignorant of Belisarius and Justinian. The little I learned was when I was in the Army stationed just outside Istanbul, and from reading historical fiction.

There was a good alternative history science fiction series that had Belisarius in it. Eric Flint was one of the authors. I think Pournelle may have been another. There was one more but his name escapes me.

If you know of any good books on Belisarius let me know.


4 posted on 03/23/2019 10:44:45 AM PDT by Tailback
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To: Tailback

I am sure you have read Robert Graves’ historical fiction ‘Count Belasarius’. If you haven’t, read it!


5 posted on 03/23/2019 10:48:40 AM PDT by Reily
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To: Tailback
If you know of any good books on Belisarius let me know.

Count Belisarius by Robert Graves is excellent.

I haven't read Flint's alternative histories, but they generally get good reviews. I'm not really a fan of alternative history, though.

The author of the blog this post is taken from has written two historical fiction books on Belisarius which appeal largely to teens and young adults.

I would also recommend reading Procopius's "official" histories of Justinian's reign -- the Vandalic and Gothic Wars are especially good. I encountered them for the first time in college and have read them maybe half a dozen times since then. Really engaging stuff if you enjoy ancient history. I'm not a fan of the "secret" history of Procopius which, sadly, is all most people have read.

Also, Harold Lamb wrote a book about this period called Theodora and the Emperor which is quite good.

Finally, I can recommend Ian Hughes bio called Belisarius: The Last Roman General which is a good, modern summation of the man and his times.
9 posted on 03/23/2019 11:10:47 AM PDT by Antoninus ("In Washington, swamp drain you.")
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To: Tailback
Sorry one more!

If you want a very detailed, scholarly biography of Belisarius referenced with Victorian-era British rigor, this one is still the best without question:



Lord Mahon's Life of Belisarius

10 posted on 03/23/2019 11:15:31 AM PDT by Antoninus ("In Washington, swamp drain you.")
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To: Tailback

Belisarius is one of the great generals of history.


11 posted on 03/23/2019 1:09:34 PM PDT by colorado tanker
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To: Tailback

L. Sprague de Camp’s 1939 novel Lest Darkness Fall is a fun alternative history look at the period. It involves a modern (for 1939) American transported to Gothic Italy during the time of Belisarius’ invasion and his efforts to save his new home. And, of course, his girl.


14 posted on 03/24/2019 8:13:35 AM PDT by jalisco555 ("In a Time of Universal Deceit Telling the Truth Is a Revolutionary Act" - George Orwell)
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