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The aim of the book is to show the reader the commanders of the early Byzantine army during the times of emperors Zeno (474-491) and Anastasius I (491-518). The authors focused on the role that selected commanders played in the empire's military struggles with hostile peoples and states. Researchers are also interested in their role in the political life of the empire. Presenting profiles representative of the military elite of the empire from the years 474-518 gave the authors the opportunity to trace their path to the highest military positions, family connections, and involvement in religious and cultural life.

The book is divided into five basic parts. The first part addresses the topic of organization and the problem of the size of the army of the late Roman Empire and early Byzantium. The second one discusses the policy of emperors Zeno and Anastasius regarding the appointment of magisters militum. The third one describes the most important opponents of the Byzantine Empire, with whom the leaders appointed by Zeno and Anastasius had to fight, namely the Ostrogoths, Persians and Bulgarians. The fourth part shows the involvement of representatives of the military elite in usurpations and rebellions in the times of Zeno and Anastasius I. Finally, the fifth part includes ten exemplary biographies of militum magisters active in the times of Zeno and Anastasius I (Areobindus, Armatus, Faresmanes, Hypatius, Illus, John the Scythian, Leontius, Patricius, Sabinianus Magnus, Trocundes). Texts published in this volume are organized, as far as the sources permitted, according to the following scheme: descent, education, career (civil and military), picture in the sources, family, and military duties.

Book published in coedition with Lodz University Press.