The Last Great War of Antiquity

This book fills a gaping hole in the history of warfare. The conflict lasted twenty-five years (spring 603–late winter 628). It was on an unprecedented scale, ideologically charged, fought along the full length of the Persian-Roman frontier, and drawing in the great powers of the steppe world. It brought the classical phase of history to a close and ushered in a new Islamic era. There was drama aplenty, culminating in the final, forlorn counteroffensive thrusts of the Emperor Heraclius deep into Persian territory. The book describes the unfolding of events and something of the detective work required to piece together a connected narrative. It also introduces the principal participants—Turks, Arabs, and Avars as well as Persians and Romans (Appendix 1), provides a tour of the Middle East (Appendix 2), and, for the historiographical infrastructure, presents a survey and evaluation of the extant sources (Appendix 3). Attention is paid to underlying structures in both belligerent empires and in the Middle East under Persian occupation in the 620s. But the decisions and actions of individuals, above all of Heraclius, a general of rare talent, and the various immaterial factors affecting morale are placed centre stage.