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Chargement... The Life of Belisarius (1848)par Philip Henry Stanhope, Earl Stanhope
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Inscrivez-vous à LibraryThing pour découvrir si vous aimerez ce livre Actuellement, il n'y a pas de discussions au sujet de ce livre. An excellent biography of a great man. Belisarius, brilliant and ever loyal to the empire, reconquered italy and north africa and reformed the Roman Empire, then defended the empire from Persia, then went back to Italy. Though he was given no support--practically no troops or equipment--he was able to win victories and the survival of the Byzantine empire. His reconquest of Africa did likely pave the way for the muslim invasion some centuries later, as he was never able to hold on to and organize the province, but there was no way he could have known of that at the time. He was offered the crown of the Western Empire, but declined it--perhaps he should have taken it. Hoton's writing is clear and he clearly researched the primary sources. Hoton absolutely hates Empress Theodora (although history has softened on her in recent years, perhaps justly), but this is a minor quibble. A book worth reading about a great man who was unfairly treated by his contemporaries and who should be recognized by us. ( ) Jon Coulston’s introduction describes this as “…a work of meticulous scholarship penned by a British aristocrat with the resources and leisure for travel and research.” Philip Stanhope (a/k/a Lord Mahon) was 24 years old when “The Life of Belisarius” was published, and it is clearly a commendable, if flawed, effort. The authorial voice is positively enslaved by a compulsion to mimic Edward Gibbon. Even so, it’s a good (definitive?) source for the perspectives of mildly pompous, 19th Century English dandies on the life and times of Belisarius. Mahon is churlishly misogynistic (a fault which Coulston attempts to minimize by ascribing it to his [Mahon’s] era rather than his person), as well as nakedly pro-Christian. Even Gibbon acknowledged the inherent superstitious quality of all religions; Mahon finds it only in non-Christian actors (and occasionally in those Christian sects of which he personally disapproves). These are, in themselves, petty criticisms. However, throughout his book Mahon relies heavily upon his own biases and prejudices to explain historical causation. Nevertheless, it is an engrossing and entertaining book – in no small measure because of the subject himself. Belisarius may not have bequeathed to posterity enough material to construct a first-rate psychological biography, but his actions precluded the necessity. His story would be impressive in any telling of it. aucune critique | ajouter une critique
Serving the Byzantine Emperor Justinian during the 6th century A.D., Belisarius defeated a superior Persian force that threatened to extinguish Constantinople; his small army next drove the Vandals out of the ancient Roman provinces of North Africa and forced the Visigoths to retreat from Italy, returning Rome to the Emperor for the final time. His ability to achieve victory against overwhelming odds and his fairness to both his own troops and those of his enemies became legendary. Despite his successes, Justinian recalled Belisarius and, swayed by jealous advisers, accused the general of conspiring to overthrow him. Although innocent, he was publicly humiliated and stripped of his rank. But when a massive army of barbarians moved against Constantinople and the citizenry panicked in fear, they turned to their only true hero, Belisarius. The forsaken general donned his armor, called out his trusted veterans, and repulsed the barbarian horde. But instead of showing gratitude, Justinian banished him from the city. Considered among the greatest generals of all time and studied later for his innovative battle tactics and unconventional strategy, Belisarius is credited with reclaiming the lost glory of Rome and helping to preserve Constantinople, whose influence would continue for centuries. Lord Mahon's biography, the first scholarly history of this remarkable figure, combines the adventure of a great epic novel with the engrossing story of a man who, despite injustices, remained loyal to the end. Edited and introduced by historian Jon C. N. Coulston, this new and retypeset edition, the first in more than 100 years, will allow the modern reader to discover one of history's most intriguing figures. Aucune description trouvée dans une bibliothèque |
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Google Books — Chargement... GenresClassification décimale de Melvil (CDD)355Social sciences Public Administration, Military Science Military ScienceClassification de la Bibliothèque du CongrèsÉvaluationMoyenne:
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