This is a fascinating history to be sure. Many Italians appear to still hold a grudge against Justinian based on some conversations I had last year in Ravenna. The Roman army was too small for the invasion, leading to a destructive and drawn out war when compared to the reconnect of Africa.
Makes sense, as the Gothic War proved to be a real disaster for italians. Italy was raised between these two sides that wanted more the land than the people in it.
Great piece indeed. Although if I may, I think there's an additional piece of the puzzle often neglected: the Vandal conquest of North Africa in 439, which cut off the shipments of African grain to Rome. Without those, it became simply impossible to have a city of a million inhabitants in Italy, no matter what will or bravery they could muster; most of the people had to leave or scatter in the countryside to grow their own food, and by Justinian's time the city's population had already shrunk by several times.
Indeed, seems like Italy was doomed, as it didn't had anymore the imperial structure to support the life style and the population that had grown during the empire. Moreover, that meant that the armies fighting for Italy had no option that sustain from the italian farmers. Food wasn't coming in ships from the seas.
His book ‘Rome Resurgent’ about the Justinian period and the reconquest—and particularly the chapters afterwards about the forty-year-long war that mutually destroyed the Eastern Romans and the Persians—was a huge influence for the novel I’m releasing on this app.
This is a fascinating history to be sure. Many Italians appear to still hold a grudge against Justinian based on some conversations I had last year in Ravenna. The Roman army was too small for the invasion, leading to a destructive and drawn out war when compared to the reconnect of Africa.
Makes sense, as the Gothic War proved to be a real disaster for italians. Italy was raised between these two sides that wanted more the land than the people in it.
Great piece. Thank you.
Thank you for reading me!
Great piece indeed. Although if I may, I think there's an additional piece of the puzzle often neglected: the Vandal conquest of North Africa in 439, which cut off the shipments of African grain to Rome. Without those, it became simply impossible to have a city of a million inhabitants in Italy, no matter what will or bravery they could muster; most of the people had to leave or scatter in the countryside to grow their own food, and by Justinian's time the city's population had already shrunk by several times.
Indeed, seems like Italy was doomed, as it didn't had anymore the imperial structure to support the life style and the population that had grown during the empire. Moreover, that meant that the armies fighting for Italy had no option that sustain from the italian farmers. Food wasn't coming in ships from the seas.
Love this. Have you read Peter Heather’s work on this time period?
Thank you! I haven't read his work. I will look for it. More than open to any recommendations for future readings!!
His book ‘Rome Resurgent’ about the Justinian period and the reconquest—and particularly the chapters afterwards about the forty-year-long war that mutually destroyed the Eastern Romans and the Persians—was a huge influence for the novel I’m releasing on this app.
Wow, I definitely have to read ithat book. Will take a look on your novel as well. I love that period of Roman history.