Rome Resurgent: War and Empire in the Age of Justinian

Among the myriad emperors of the later Roman Empire, Justinian seems to stand out. The ruler of the Eastern half of the empire two centuries after it split (and half a century after the fall of Rome to the Ostrogoths), Justinian had to defend his right to rule from opposition by many competing, and dangerous, enemy factions. One of the best ways to cement his authority was by showing that his regency was certified by God – and how better to show that than through victory on the fields of battle? This excellent book takes readers through the historical circumstances surrounding Justinian’s ascension to power, including how the Roman politics and military structure had changed over time, allowing a peasant to gain the highest position in the empire. It then examines how Justinian kept power both through his wars and military campaigns as well as other empire-building initiatives.

Along with the gripping, well-told historical narrative, the author presents a wonderful, highly readable analysis of the effects of Justinian’s actions, on Justinian’s own legacy, and on the ultimate fate of the Roman Empire – repercussions of which still affect us today.