[Maurizio D'Angelo]

I just finished reading
The Grand Strategy of the Byzantine Empire E.L. Luttwak. (Italian version)
Luttwak, military strategist and consultant to the Pentagon and the Council for National Security of the White House. This book is the fruit of 30 years of research by Luttwak.
That of Constantinople was a unique case in history: a thousand years of unchallenged domination over a vast and multi-ethnic empire. Byzantium developed a highly effective political and military strategy, based on a very modern use of what we today would call "intelligence."
On the military front, tried to keep the peace for as long as possible kept tensions high by acting as if war were always imminent, but went into battle only when it had a good chance of winning. In domestic policy, emphasizing integration and absorption to exploit the wealth of cultures, technologies and knowledge that each subject people brought in dowry.
References to modern foreign policy is veiled, but frequent. Seems to say, just copy them. I'd like to know the impressions of an American.
Someone read it?

[Bryce Felperin]

And they still got whacked through bad leadership and strong enemies...and also bad friends. Kind of what we're experiencing in the modern day also. ;-)

Sounds like an interesting book though...have to look for it on Amazon.

[Michael Eging]

Just found it on Amazon... looking forward to reading it!

[Maurizio D'Angelo]

With the Enlightenment has begun to shun the Byzantine culture. A great vacuum that continues today. We can not fully understand our history without going into this important aspect.
The book is divided into three parts:
- The invention of Byzantine strategy.
- The Byzantine diplomacy.
- The Byzantine art of war.
Needless to say this last part I was literally fascinated.
Luttwak's work, especially for the aspects most closely linked to the military strategy and diplomacy, is of unquestionable value.

I noticed a mistake, I do not know if the translation or the author, in chapter one it says that the Persians attacked Nisibis at the time of Theodosius II, but it is not possible, given that Nisibis was Persian.

When you read it, let me know.
Good reading.

[Michael Eging]

I absolutely agree with you about not understanding our own history of the Renaissance in general, which in very formative times, was fueled by an influx of Byzantine scholars who taught at schools set up by patrons throughout northern Italy. I just got my copy of the book and have just begun, but I find it very interesting. Thanks for pointing this book out!

[Dan Sellars]