What made the Byzantine empire so strong? Dr. Kontogiannis's inter-disciplined work details the fortifications of the Byzantine structures, all over Mesopotamia, Syria, Asia Minor, the Balkan peninsula and Africa, to uncover their role during wartime. Fortifications built in every region of the empire are covered, from those in Mesopotamia, Syria and Africa, to those in Asia Minor, the Aegean and the Balkan peninsula.

The target audience for this book would be those interested in Byzantine history as well as military history. It is well researched and highly recommend.

Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A very good historical read on fortifications during ancient times.I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good book to read. It’s well researched and put together to make it interesting to read.

Byzantine Fortifications is a well written and accessible guide to the strategic fortifications of the eastern Roman Empire by historian Dr. Nikos Kontogiannis. Due out 30th May 2022 from Pen & Sword, it's 240 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is a beautifully illustrated volume which covers an impressively broad time period - from early 3-4th century fortifications through the late Byzantine 13th-15th century. The unifying strategic importance, location, and development are well explained by the author in a manner which is understandable to the layperson. There are maps, line drawings and schematics, and modern photographs of ancient castles and fortifications.

The author writes engagingly. It's clear he's both knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his area of expertise. It's easy to imagine he would be a gifted lecturer and instructor. Although it's accessible to the layperson, the volume is meticulously annotated throughout and the chapter notes and source annotations will provide readers with many hours of further reading. I especially liked seeing the modern photos of ancient ruins.

Five stars. This would make a superlative choice for public and school library acquisition as well as a fine addition to the home library for readers of military history, archaeology, etc.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Eastern Roman State or Byzantine Empire encompassed the Mediterranean and Near East, periods (early, middle, late) and regions. Fortifications were built for many reasons and evolved over around a thousand years. Author Dr. Nikos Kontogiannis chronologically describes the fortification features themselves as well as history and peoples. He explains the architectural styles, defence features, wall protection/width/fill, field bases, battlement shapes, construction materials, staircases, hilltop refuges, site locations, military training and even weapons used. Constantinople was one of the key players, of course. Many scholars believe that the start of the era was 330 AD and the agreed-upon year of 1453 is the end of the Byzantine Empire.

Amongst my favourite historical descriptions are that of Diocletian and his palace in Split as I am very familiar with it and am enamoured with Split and its history. However, I did not know about the so-called Diocletian-Constantinian defensive strategy. Now I do! Whilst wandering around ruins I often wonder about fortification origins including the long walls, fortified hilltops, towers and strategic positions. I have seen inscriptions I cannot read which evokes curiosity. The Nikopolis walls are amongst the best preserved in the Balkans. It was wonderful to learn more about fortifications such as Hexamilion at Corinth, Anastasian Wall of Thrace, Thamugadi in Algeria, Mystras in Greece and Sigon in Syria.

Those interested in Military History and the Byzantine Empire in particular should seek out this book. It is very niche and academic but you will be intrigued by the information and will surely learn a lot. The glossary, maps, photographs and illustrations are very helpful.

My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this insightful book.

Dr. Kontogiannis, after decades of Byzantine studies and teaching, has published a long-neglected aspect of military history. The defensive works of the Byzantine Empire. Defense against not just the expansionist Ottoman Turkish Empire, but also from the fractured remnants of the old Western Half of the Roman Empire. Very well done and worth the time.