The Battle of Cannae in the summer of 216 BC is a milestone in Roman history. It was Hannibal’s finest hour and forced the Romans to learn a painful lesson. The Roman legions were perhaps the finest military units of their day. Their methods of fighting, their training and their equipment were highly sophisticated and …
Background of the Fourth Crusade In the years from 1201 to 1202 the Fourth Crusade, sanctioned by pope Innocent III, was readying itself to set out to conquer Egypt, which was by then the center of Islamic power. After initial problems, finally Boniface, the Marquis of Monferrat was decided as the leader of the campaign.But …
Flavius Magnus Magnentius(AD ca. 303 – AD 353) Magnentius was born at about AD 303 around Samarobriva (Amiens) to an English father and a Frankish mother. He served in a barbarian unit under he rule of Constantine. During the reign of his sons Magnentius then rose to become staff officer and then a commander of …
Basiliscus (died AD 476) Basiliscus was the brother of Aelia Verina and hence emperor Leo’s brother-in-law. In about AD 464 he became ‘Master of Soldiers’ in Thrace where he on several occasions successfully repelled invaders. These successes, and the help of his sister, won him the position of ‘Master of Soldiers’ at the headquarters of …
‘Zeno the Isaurian’ Tarasicodissa (died AD 491) Zeno was from Rosoumblada in the province in south-eastern Asia Minor known as Isauria. The emperor Leo called him to Constantinople as the leader of a force of Isaurians in order to counter the ever-growing German influence over the empire. Also a special imperial guard was set up, …
Flavius Leo (AD 401 – AD 474) Leo was born in AD 401, a member of the tribe of the Bessi in Thrace. At the death of Marcian his son-in-law Anthemius appeared the most likely candidate for the throne. However Anthemius did not enjoy the support of Aspar, the powerful eastern ‘Master of Soldiers’. Instead …