Books by Jeroen W.P. Wijnendaele
"Wat gebeurt er als de wereld die mensen eeuwenlang gekend hebben voorgoed verandert? Vierhonderd... more "Wat gebeurt er als de wereld die mensen eeuwenlang gekend hebben voorgoed verandert? Vierhonderd jaar lang was het Romeinse Rijk de enige entiteit die heerste over West-Europa. Maar doorheen de vijfde eeuw van onze tijdsrekening verdween dat Imperium in Gallië en de Lage Landen. In de plaats daarvan kwamen tal van nieuwe vorstendommen. Onder hen bevonden zich diverse Frankische krijgsheren die voor het Romeinse Rijk al enkele eeuwen fungeerden als boemannen, barbaren, maar ook bondgenoten.
In De wereld van Clovis verhaalt Jeroen Wijnendaele hun moeizame ontstaansgeschiedenis. Hij neemt de lezer mee in het kielzog van Frankische krijgers, Romeinse schrijvers en Gallische heiligen. We leren hoe een obscure jongeman genaamd Clovis erin slaagde op amper één generatie tijd met bloed en staal een nieuw domein te verwerven van de Noordzee tot de Pyreneeën. Daarmee creëerde de Frankische vorst als eerste een duurzame politieke ruimte, los van de mediterrane wereld die altijd al het referentiepunt was geweest in de klassieke oudheid.
Wijnendaele doorprikt mythes die doorleven tot vandaag zoals ‘de grote volksverhuizingen’ of Clovis’ status als ‘eerste katholieke koning van Frankrijk’. Veel doorslaggevender is dat we met Clovis het geboorteproces zien van het Westen en van de middeleeuwen."
Nel quinto secolo dopo Cristo, l’impero romano d’Occidente è sprofondato nel caos e sta lentament... more Nel quinto secolo dopo Cristo, l’impero romano d’Occidente è sprofondato nel caos e sta lentamente disgregandosi sotto i colpi delle numerose popolazioni di stirpe barbarica che lo assediano. La moribonda dinastia imperiale teodosiana riesce a mantenere il potere solo a prezzo di notevoli compromessi.
In questo scenario assume un ruolo chiave la figura del comes Africae Bonifacio, governatore di un territorio strategico per il rifornimento annonario di Roma.
Fedele a Galla Placidia, in contatto con Sant’Agostino di Ippona, ambizioso e carismatico comandante militare, Bonifacio sposerà una principessa visigota e otterrà così un seguito di guerrieri con i quali formerà una temibile guardia privata.
Richiamato in Italia, dopo l’invasione vandala dell’Africa, per opporsi al generale Aezio anch’egli potente signore della guerra, morirà per le ferite riportate in uno scontro con quest’ultimo presso Rimini.
Lo storico Procopio ricorda Bonifacio (e il suo grande rivale Aezio) con queste parole: «Giunsero a un grado di magnanimità ed eccellenza sotto qualsiasi aspetto che se uno li definisse gli ultimi romani non si sbaglierebbe, tanto era vero che tutte le ottime qualità dei romani erano incarnate in questi uomini».
"In the early fifth century the Roman West suffered chaos and disintegration, as the moribund Hou... more "In the early fifth century the Roman West suffered chaos and disintegration, as the moribund House of Theodosius tried with diminishing success to remain in power. Count Boniface was a key figure in this effort. The author brings the count to life, displaying considerable acumen, infectious enthusiasm, and great sympathy for all players in the drama. This is an important book. (Frank M. Clover, Professor Emeritus of History and Classics, University of Wisconsin, USA)"
"This, then, is a clearly written study that negotiates the difficulties of a complex period with assurance, is based on close familiarity with the ancient sources and with the most recent scholarship, and makes a good case for the importance of Bonifatius alongside higher-profile military men such as Constantius III and Aetius, while at the same time differentiating him from them."
(Prof. A.D. Lee, University of Nottingham - Classical Review)
"Das Resultat ist eine gründliche und ausgewogen urteilende Darstellung. ... Wijnendaele hat sein Sujet von allen Seiten beleuchtet und damit nicht nur eine interessante Studie zu Bonifatius geliefert, sondern aus einem speziellen Blickwinkel auch Beobachtungen zur generellen Lage des weströmischen Reiches dieser Zeit formuliert. ... Insofern ist Wijnendaeles Bonifatius-Buch eine anregende neue Darstellung [und] einen alternativen Blick auf die Geschichte des weströmischen Reiches zwischen 413 und 433."
(Dr. Ulrich Lambrecht, Universität Koblenz-Landau - H-Solz-Kult)
"De auteur geeft in zijn Woord vooraf duidelijk aan wat hem voor ogen staat: ‘…voor de allereerst... more "De auteur geeft in zijn Woord vooraf duidelijk aan wat hem voor ogen staat: ‘…voor de allereerste keer het complexe onderwerp van de ondergang van het Romeinse Rijk in het Westen toegankelijk maken voor een zo breed mogelijk Nederlandstalig publiek.’ Dat is een ambitieus project, gezien de omvang in tijd en uitgestrektheid. Wijnendaele is naar mijn mening echter uitstekend in die opzet geslaagd."
Thea L. Heres, Hermeneus, nr. 86.1 (febr. 2014).
Edited Volumes by Jeroen W.P. Wijnendaele
The transformation from 'Empire' to 'Kingdoms' was one of the most fundamental developments in th... more The transformation from 'Empire' to 'Kingdoms' was one of the most fundamental developments in the late Roman world. This research volume reassesses this transition in Italy c. 250-500. During the first quarter of the first millennium, Italy was still the heart of the Roman Empire - the only political superstructure ever to encompass the entire Mediterranean world and its European hinterland. Yet during the second quarter of the millennium, it underwent dramatic evolutions, from a demoted provincialised region (c. 285–395), to a new imperial hub kept afloat by cannibalising other provinces' resources (c. 395-475), to an autonomous regnum governed by non-Roman rulers as part of an Eastern Roman 'Commonwealth' (c. 476-535). Across the book's seventeen chapters, a team of scholars explores the major political, social, economic, religious and cultural changes impacting what was once the most important region of the Roman world. Presenting a balanced range of topics, from gender and environmental history to political transformation and violence, it offers new insights on the various domains affected by this evolution in what was once the heart of the empire.
"This special issue of JLA opens with five ground-breaking articles on the theme of 'Warfare and ... more "This special issue of JLA opens with five ground-breaking articles on the theme of 'Warfare and Food Supply in the Late Roman Empire'.”
Journal Articles by Jeroen W.P. Wijnendaele
This article offers a historical reassessment of the obscure commander Constantius and a new tran... more This article offers a historical reassessment of the obscure commander Constantius and a new translation with textual analysis of his epitaph. Two Carolingian manuscripts preserve the text of a now lost inscription, which is our only source of information for this individual, and the only extant epitaph of a fifth century commander. A recent study attempted to identify Constantius as a junior officer serving the magister militum Felix in the late 420s. This article argues instead that the inscription points to a commander of the emperors Avitus and Majorian in the late 450s, who most likely ended his military career as comes domesticorum. The lost epitaph provides us with a distinct Italian perspective on the twilight years of the withering western empire.
It has been asserted that the usurper Magnus Maximus can be identified with the commander Maximus... more It has been asserted that the usurper Magnus Maximus can be identified with the commander Maximus who served during the Gothic uprising of 376-77. This assertion is tempting because it connects imperial events in Africa, the Balkans and Britain during a pivotal period. However, this note aims finally to dispel this identification. It does so by both examining the socio-institutional ramifications of promotion in the imperial chain of command, and cross-examining literary traditions previously overlooked in this identification.
The aim of this article is to reexamine the use of the African grain supply during late Roman civ... more The aim of this article is to reexamine the use of the African grain supply during late Roman civil wars. The main point of contention is that while cutting o the African grain supply to Italy could make a sporadic difference during civil war, most of the time this tactic was, in fact, not considered. Moreover, even when it was used, the results could be devastating yet insufficient to achieve the strategic aims it pursued. Nevertheless, during the transition from the fourth into the fifth century, there was a slight but conspicuous intensification of this method. This chronology is not coincidental and suggests a correlation between North Africa’s growing importance at a time the imperial West was at bay. More importantly, the increased use of this tactic can also be linked to the changing nature of late Roman civil wars in the western Mediterranean.
The genesis of the first western kingdoms in early medieval Europe has often been framed as the c... more The genesis of the first western kingdoms in early medieval Europe has often been framed as the consequence of barbarian invasions bringing down the Roman empire in its western provinces. This article considers a considerably more corrosive factor in the breakdown of western imperial structures, i.e. the warlordism of its own military personnel, via a case study of the Gothic aristocrat Sarus’ micro-politics of mobility. This article will show that Sarus is one of the earliest attested cases of men willing to opt out of imperial service and use violence to reintegrate themselves later. Re-examining the rapidly shifting political circumstances, it will demonstrate that Sarus was increasingly forced to move and take independent violent action, together with his men, in order to survive. This has major implications for a newly developing early medieval European phenomenon: the transformation of regular imperial commanders into irregular warlords.
It has been frequently asserted that the western Roman supreme commander Stilicho's neglect of th... more It has been frequently asserted that the western Roman supreme commander Stilicho's neglect of the Transalpine provinces during the usurpation of Constantine III contributed to his eventual downfall in 408. Stilicho's fatal flaw, in this recurring opinion, seems to have been a desire to annex eastern Illyricum for which he sought to employ Alaric. In a volte-face, he then wished to use Alaric as the leader of the western field army that was supposed to bring down Con-stantine. The aim of this article is to advance several notes of critique on this narrative that has had a long life in Stilichonian scholarship. Instead it will demonstrate that a) the threat of Constantine has been overestimated, b) Stilicho had no designs on annexing eastern Illyricum, c) he had a military strategy ready against Constantine that was sound and in tandem with earlier civil wars, and d) that the intended role of Alaric during this enterprise has been misunderstood. Nevertheless, Stilicho's military strategy in 408 proved to be fundamentally corrosive towards his hitherto carefully built-up political capital. Olympius, the architect of his demise and his precise knowledge of Stilicho's army preparations, as befitted the magister officiorium, provided the former with the perfect material to fabricate stories of Stilicho coveting a throne while neglecting the west. This set in motion the plot that ultimately brought down Stilicho.
In the spring of 413, the comes Africae Heraclianus decided to withhold the African grain shipmen... more In the spring of 413, the comes Africae Heraclianus decided to withhold the African grain shipments to Rome. Immediately afterwards, he set sail with an army to Italy. However, he was swiftly defeated there, and then murdered after his return to Carthage. His revolt is puzzling, and comes as a total surprise, because hitherto he had been a loyal servant to Honorius; indeed, he had been awarded the western consulship for 413 prior to it. His rebellion has usually been interpreted as an attempt to usurp imperial power, in the same fashion as have been those of so many other contenders about the same period. However, I will argue that Heraclianus was not a usurper, but that he had simply wished to secure his influence over Honorius at a time when he felt threatened by the
latter’s generalissimo Constantius.
This article wishes to reexamine the early career of Aëtius, with special emphasis on his elimina... more This article wishes to reexamine the early career of Aëtius, with special emphasis on his elimination of the magister utriusque militiae Felix in 430. Scholars have often treated this episode superficially, but it is of fundamental importance to understand how Aëtius managed to break the western Roman court's monopoly of violence. By carefully considering the historiographical record of Aëtius' campaigns during the late 420s, the chronology of his itinerary, and the wider context of the Vandal invasion of Africa, it will both offer a new interpretation of how Aëtius managed to achieve Felix' murder and its implications for western Roman unity.
The so-called ‘revolt’ of Gildo in 397-398 was the first significant case of violent dissidence b... more The so-called ‘revolt’ of Gildo in 397-398 was the first significant case of violent dissidence by a high-ranking western Roman officer during the reign of Honorius (393-423).This article will re-examine his career from the perspective of the changing relationship between military and imperial authority. Gildo did not try to usurp imperial power himself, nor to set up someone else as emperor, which had been the traditional paradigm for opposition. Instead, this article will demonstrate that he was rather the first senior commander in the western empire who tried to increase his political power by challenging the generalissimo, i.e. the recent phenomenon of a dominant general acting as the power behind the throne.
It will show that he pursued a policy of opposition, trying to undermine the authority of the magister peditum praesentalis Stilicho, by withdrawing his support to the latter during a critical campaign, thereby willing to incur the risk of armed conflict, yet ultimately still trying to be part of the legitimate dynastic framework. While Gildo’s actions at the end of the fourth century have traditionally been interpreted in radical terms, it will be demonstrated that the context for his position at this junction suggests far more conservative aims.
In 405 CE, an enormous barbarian confederation led by a certain Radagaisus invaded Italy. The wes... more In 405 CE, an enormous barbarian confederation led by a certain Radagaisus invaded Italy. The western Roman generalissimo Stilicho managed to overcome them near Florence in 406. Historians have treated this war casually, considering it as resolved successfully and soon overshadowed by greater conflicts. However, scholarly consensus on Radagaisus’s defeat is largely dependent on Orosius’s testimony that describes it as the outcome of a Fabian strategy conducted with minimal bloodshed near Faesulae. This report is at odds with other sources which indicate that Stilicho struggled to contain Radagaisus and ultimately inflicted a great slaughter on his forces near Florence. Orosius’s testimony cannot be accepted and internal cross- examination reveals major inconsistencies. A careful analysis of the various stages of Radagaisus’s invasion has major new implications for our understanding of the careers of key protagonists such as Alaric, Uldin, and Sarus, as well as of the breach of the Rhine frontier in 406.
Book Chapters by Jeroen W.P. Wijnendaele
![Research paper thumbnail of Wijnendaele & Halsall 2024. The settlement of the Alani in Late Antique Gaul. In: López Sánchez, Bueno & Martínez Chico (eds.). Coins, Riches, and Lands. Paying for Military Manpower in Antiquity and Early Medieval Times (Oxbow) [Preview]](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/119492289/thumbnails/1.jpg)
The history of the Great Migration Age coincides with that of the disintegration of the imperial ... more The history of the Great Migration Age coincides with that of the disintegration of the imperial Roman West in the 5th century AD (Goffart 2006; Halsall 2007; Meier 2019). Some scholars, and plenty of modern politicians or pundits, would like to say that in this case correlation equals causation (Heather 2005; Ward-Perkins 2005; Demandt 2008). Regardless of whether one sides with the barbarophobes or the barbarophiles in the debate on the volatile cocktail formerly known as ‘the Fall of Rome’, it cannot be denied that the 5th century was an age of mass movement in Europe and the western Mediterranean. Discussions about the itineraries or settlements of various ‘barbarian’ groups usually focus on those whose appearance rings most loudly in the sources – such as Goths, Huns, or Vandals. It is possible to write a narrative of this era centred on any of these, as many have done, whilst ignoring that there were many other communities who settled in the empire, some even forming transient polities known as regna, such as the Sueves in Galicia or the Rugi in Noricum. This chapter will examine one group
that is rarely studied in their own right: the Alani. We will look into the settlement of one group of Alani in Gaul by the western Roman senior commander Aëtius in the early 440s, discuss their origin, possible reasons for translocation, and how this fitted into a major military reorganisation primarily driven by fiscal reasons.
![Research paper thumbnail of 2024. Die Delegierung militärischer Befugnisse im Weströmischen Reich. In: Stickler & Roberto (eds). Das Weströmische Reich und seine Erforschung Neue Perspektiven (Kohlhammer) [Corrected Proofs]](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/110179636/thumbnails/1.jpg)
In diesem Artikel sollen sowohl die Prioritäten der Feldherren der weströmischen Armee untersucht... more In diesem Artikel sollen sowohl die Prioritäten der Feldherren der weströmischen Armee untersucht werden, in Bezug auf den Umgang mit Usurpation, Revolten und Invasionen, die Gebiete, in die sie eher Untergebene schickten um an ihrer Stelle Krieg zu führen, als auch die Versuche der Kaiser, ihre Macht zu zügeln. Obwohl ich versuchen werde, die Feldherren der weströ-mischen Armee, die unter solchen military managers dienten, in unseren Quellen zu identifizieren, bleiben die Namen der untergeordneten Feldherren, die in wichtigen Posten dienten, für uns oft kaum mehr als Namen. Stattdessen werde ich zuerst einen Überblick über die zahlreichen Krisen geben, die den Westen des Reiches heimsuchten. Dann wird (das wenige) untersucht, was wir über die anderen Feldherren zu dieser Zeit wissen und die Frage gestellt, ob wir über-haupt bemerkenswerte Entwicklungen oder Merkmale bei ihrer Ernennung oder ihrem modus operandi erkennen können.
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Books by Jeroen W.P. Wijnendaele
In De wereld van Clovis verhaalt Jeroen Wijnendaele hun moeizame ontstaansgeschiedenis. Hij neemt de lezer mee in het kielzog van Frankische krijgers, Romeinse schrijvers en Gallische heiligen. We leren hoe een obscure jongeman genaamd Clovis erin slaagde op amper één generatie tijd met bloed en staal een nieuw domein te verwerven van de Noordzee tot de Pyreneeën. Daarmee creëerde de Frankische vorst als eerste een duurzame politieke ruimte, los van de mediterrane wereld die altijd al het referentiepunt was geweest in de klassieke oudheid.
Wijnendaele doorprikt mythes die doorleven tot vandaag zoals ‘de grote volksverhuizingen’ of Clovis’ status als ‘eerste katholieke koning van Frankrijk’. Veel doorslaggevender is dat we met Clovis het geboorteproces zien van het Westen en van de middeleeuwen."
In questo scenario assume un ruolo chiave la figura del comes Africae Bonifacio, governatore di un territorio strategico per il rifornimento annonario di Roma.
Fedele a Galla Placidia, in contatto con Sant’Agostino di Ippona, ambizioso e carismatico comandante militare, Bonifacio sposerà una principessa visigota e otterrà così un seguito di guerrieri con i quali formerà una temibile guardia privata.
Richiamato in Italia, dopo l’invasione vandala dell’Africa, per opporsi al generale Aezio anch’egli potente signore della guerra, morirà per le ferite riportate in uno scontro con quest’ultimo presso Rimini.
Lo storico Procopio ricorda Bonifacio (e il suo grande rivale Aezio) con queste parole: «Giunsero a un grado di magnanimità ed eccellenza sotto qualsiasi aspetto che se uno li definisse gli ultimi romani non si sbaglierebbe, tanto era vero che tutte le ottime qualità dei romani erano incarnate in questi uomini».
"This, then, is a clearly written study that negotiates the difficulties of a complex period with assurance, is based on close familiarity with the ancient sources and with the most recent scholarship, and makes a good case for the importance of Bonifatius alongside higher-profile military men such as Constantius III and Aetius, while at the same time differentiating him from them."
(Prof. A.D. Lee, University of Nottingham - Classical Review)
"Das Resultat ist eine gründliche und ausgewogen urteilende Darstellung. ... Wijnendaele hat sein Sujet von allen Seiten beleuchtet und damit nicht nur eine interessante Studie zu Bonifatius geliefert, sondern aus einem speziellen Blickwinkel auch Beobachtungen zur generellen Lage des weströmischen Reiches dieser Zeit formuliert. ... Insofern ist Wijnendaeles Bonifatius-Buch eine anregende neue Darstellung [und] einen alternativen Blick auf die Geschichte des weströmischen Reiches zwischen 413 und 433."
(Dr. Ulrich Lambrecht, Universität Koblenz-Landau - H-Solz-Kult)
Thea L. Heres, Hermeneus, nr. 86.1 (febr. 2014).
Edited Volumes by Jeroen W.P. Wijnendaele
Journal Articles by Jeroen W.P. Wijnendaele
latter’s generalissimo Constantius.
It will show that he pursued a policy of opposition, trying to undermine the authority of the magister peditum praesentalis Stilicho, by withdrawing his support to the latter during a critical campaign, thereby willing to incur the risk of armed conflict, yet ultimately still trying to be part of the legitimate dynastic framework. While Gildo’s actions at the end of the fourth century have traditionally been interpreted in radical terms, it will be demonstrated that the context for his position at this junction suggests far more conservative aims.
Book Chapters by Jeroen W.P. Wijnendaele
that is rarely studied in their own right: the Alani. We will look into the settlement of one group of Alani in Gaul by the western Roman senior commander Aëtius in the early 440s, discuss their origin, possible reasons for translocation, and how this fitted into a major military reorganisation primarily driven by fiscal reasons.
In De wereld van Clovis verhaalt Jeroen Wijnendaele hun moeizame ontstaansgeschiedenis. Hij neemt de lezer mee in het kielzog van Frankische krijgers, Romeinse schrijvers en Gallische heiligen. We leren hoe een obscure jongeman genaamd Clovis erin slaagde op amper één generatie tijd met bloed en staal een nieuw domein te verwerven van de Noordzee tot de Pyreneeën. Daarmee creëerde de Frankische vorst als eerste een duurzame politieke ruimte, los van de mediterrane wereld die altijd al het referentiepunt was geweest in de klassieke oudheid.
Wijnendaele doorprikt mythes die doorleven tot vandaag zoals ‘de grote volksverhuizingen’ of Clovis’ status als ‘eerste katholieke koning van Frankrijk’. Veel doorslaggevender is dat we met Clovis het geboorteproces zien van het Westen en van de middeleeuwen."
In questo scenario assume un ruolo chiave la figura del comes Africae Bonifacio, governatore di un territorio strategico per il rifornimento annonario di Roma.
Fedele a Galla Placidia, in contatto con Sant’Agostino di Ippona, ambizioso e carismatico comandante militare, Bonifacio sposerà una principessa visigota e otterrà così un seguito di guerrieri con i quali formerà una temibile guardia privata.
Richiamato in Italia, dopo l’invasione vandala dell’Africa, per opporsi al generale Aezio anch’egli potente signore della guerra, morirà per le ferite riportate in uno scontro con quest’ultimo presso Rimini.
Lo storico Procopio ricorda Bonifacio (e il suo grande rivale Aezio) con queste parole: «Giunsero a un grado di magnanimità ed eccellenza sotto qualsiasi aspetto che se uno li definisse gli ultimi romani non si sbaglierebbe, tanto era vero che tutte le ottime qualità dei romani erano incarnate in questi uomini».
"This, then, is a clearly written study that negotiates the difficulties of a complex period with assurance, is based on close familiarity with the ancient sources and with the most recent scholarship, and makes a good case for the importance of Bonifatius alongside higher-profile military men such as Constantius III and Aetius, while at the same time differentiating him from them."
(Prof. A.D. Lee, University of Nottingham - Classical Review)
"Das Resultat ist eine gründliche und ausgewogen urteilende Darstellung. ... Wijnendaele hat sein Sujet von allen Seiten beleuchtet und damit nicht nur eine interessante Studie zu Bonifatius geliefert, sondern aus einem speziellen Blickwinkel auch Beobachtungen zur generellen Lage des weströmischen Reiches dieser Zeit formuliert. ... Insofern ist Wijnendaeles Bonifatius-Buch eine anregende neue Darstellung [und] einen alternativen Blick auf die Geschichte des weströmischen Reiches zwischen 413 und 433."
(Dr. Ulrich Lambrecht, Universität Koblenz-Landau - H-Solz-Kult)
Thea L. Heres, Hermeneus, nr. 86.1 (febr. 2014).
latter’s generalissimo Constantius.
It will show that he pursued a policy of opposition, trying to undermine the authority of the magister peditum praesentalis Stilicho, by withdrawing his support to the latter during a critical campaign, thereby willing to incur the risk of armed conflict, yet ultimately still trying to be part of the legitimate dynastic framework. While Gildo’s actions at the end of the fourth century have traditionally been interpreted in radical terms, it will be demonstrated that the context for his position at this junction suggests far more conservative aims.
that is rarely studied in their own right: the Alani. We will look into the settlement of one group of Alani in Gaul by the western Roman senior commander Aëtius in the early 440s, discuss their origin, possible reasons for translocation, and how this fitted into a major military reorganisation primarily driven by fiscal reasons.
against the tableau of the late Roman Italian peninsula and its islands.
Caveat: this work was originally submitted for publication in 2013. Since then I have reevaluated the nature of Radagaisus' defeat at the so-called 'battle of Faesulae' (see JLA 9.1.)
kern van het latere Europese succes van de Frankische grootmacht.
We started this podcast as a way to bring together the large group of scholars of the Classical world at Ghent who are scattered across the departments of History, Literary Studies, Archaeology, Linguistics, Philosophy and Law. By talking every two weeks to researchers about their work, what drives them, and how they see Classics’ place in society, we hope we can help foster a community of Classicists in Ghent and beyond.
For our first (long) episode, we spoke with Dr Jeroen Wijnendaele on the theme of 'Engagement'. Jeroen's postdoctoral research at Ghent focuses on political violence in late antiquity, but his interests go far beyond the academic sphere. In this episode, he tells us about what sparked his interests in Classics as a child, his journey around the world to get where he is today, and why he loves what he does and how to share that passion with a wider audience."
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-c4rek-ef8a76
The empire-wide organization of the annona militaris was arguably the single most important economic activity affecting the Mediterranean world and its European hinterlands. Successful supply to the army could make the difference in its performance during war in all its guises, from raids, to sieges and pitched battles. Yet these very same logistics also formed a double-edged sword that could be turned against the Empire in times of adversity. Local communities, urban governments and civilian elites could be equally affected by these ramifications.
This workshop will bring together an international team of scholars focusing on both the general concept of the Late Roman military food-supply and other crucially related issues to help advance our knowledge on this long-neglected theme.
The main aim of this paper is to investigate this representation of Bonifatius in the histories of Olympiodorus (2nd quarter 5th century), Procopius (mid 6th century) and John of Antioch (early 7th century). Not only do they account for a major part of our information on Bonifatius, they also present their material from a distinctively secular point of view, providing an alternative to the predominantly ecclesiastical historiography in the West.
An assessment of each source will be made, set against the background of Byzantium’s interaction vis-à-vis its fraternal neighbour, to explain the ever-evolving image of Bonifatius.
Three documents provide a kaleidoscopic view of the battered state of the Roman Army in the aftermath of Honorius’ reign. The enigmatic document called the Notitia Dignitatum preserves a snapshot of the imperial bureaucracy and military establishment in the Late Roman West during the 420s. At face value it portrays an impressive state apparatus which puts control over the western war machine in hands of its most senior general (the magister utriusque militae). Yet less than two decades later, the author of a military manual decries the “barbarization” of the army and nostalgically pleads for a return to the fabled citizen armies of the Roman Republic. During this same period the Western Emperor Valentinian III issues a decree which states that the imperial treasury is no longer able to properly equip and supply its veteran forces.
Despite these trepidations, the Imperial West somehow still retained an army which was able to impose sovereignty over many territories and suzerainty over most of its neighbouring foederati. Between 435 and 460, the supreme commanders Aetius, Ricimer, and the (future) emperor Majorian were able to score a series of victories over several barbarian tribes whilst retaining control over a core empire centred around Italy, Southern Gaul, Dalmatia and Eastern Spain. This army, however, was markedly different from the field units which still featured in the Notitia Dignitatum.
This paper seeks to highlight the dynamics behind the changing nature of the Western Roman Army in the first half of the fifth century, through the concept of ‘Warlordism’. It will give an analysis of the career of the African field commander (comes Africae) Bonifatius and his relationship with his warrior retinue - the so-called buccellarii – as a case study for the privatization of the Western Roman Army. Bonifatius’ rise to power witnessed the eclipse of traditional means to claim political and military authority through usurpation of the imperial office, whilst setting a precedent for future commanders to foster personal control over their armed forces. It will argue that middle-ranking commanders such as Bonifatius and Aetius broke the monopoly of violence hitherto exercised by the emperor and his court.
This paper will focus on the extraordinary wanderings of Sebastian. As the legitimate supreme commander of the Western Roman Army (magister utriusque militiae), Sebastian lost the struggle for power in Italy against Flavius Aëtius and was exiled in 433. Ten long years he was forced to reinvent himself in various guises as mercenary, pirate and warlord, on an epic journey that took him from Africa to Italy, Constantinople, Sicily, Gaul, Spain, and back to Africa. Indeed, when imperial service was no longer an option in East nor West, Sebastian had to make his way across the Mediterranean, hiring out his services to the Visigoths, the local aristocracy of Tarraconensis, and the Vandal king Gaiseric.
Special consideration will be given to the private retainers - the notorious buccellarii - who provided Sebastian with significant military independence vis-à-vis the state but also formed a source of social instability. His exceptional odyssey, that took his men all over the Mediterranean, will be investigated to illustrate issues of contemporary naval power and piracy. Finally, Sebastian’s career will be used as a case study to clarify political allegiances and international relations between the various powers of the Late Roman World.