| Popis: |
In the first half of the sixth century, Italy was the scene of a conflict involving over 70,000 soldiers as the Byzantine and Ostrogothic armies fought to dominate it. This thesis examines the social background of these soldiers, focusing on where they come from and the extent to which military success depended upon the loyalties of the soldiers. It also examines the difficulties that both armies faced in providing logistical support to their soldiers and the extensive damage that providing sufficient provisions for their soldiers had on the resources of Italy. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between soldiers and civilians in this period, examining the way in which towns acted as focal points of contact between the two groups and reflected the increasing militarisation of the period. Finally, this thesis considers the impact of civilian participation in war and how civilian loyalties had a considerable, but hitherto disregarded, impact on the fortunes of two armies and ultimately the outcome of the war. |
