Last War of Antiquity: The Battle of Antioch (Part 3)
In this episode, we delve into the Byzantine Empire's decline and internal strife, setting the stage for Heraclius' rise to power amidst the fall of Constantinople. We examine the Sasanians' capture of Antioch, Jerusalem, and Egypt, highlighting Heraclius' diplomatic maneuvers and efforts to reclaim lost territories. The narrative explores Heraclius' military and financial reforms, his rallying of religious support for a counter-offensive, and the strategic alliances that shifted momentum in his favor. We conclude with Heraclius' divide-and-conquer strategy as he prepares for a decisive comeback against the Sasanian forces.
Key Points
- The Byzantine Empire was on the brink of collapse in the early seventh century, facing internal decay and relentless Sasanian invasions.
- Heraclius, the new Byzantine emperor, reformed the military into smaller, more agile units and financed his war efforts by melting down church treasures, framing the conflict as a holy war for Christendom.
- Heraclius turned the tide by forming strategic alliances with the Gokturks and exploiting internal divisions within the Sasanian Empire, setting the stage for a dramatic counteroffensive.
Chapters
| 0:00 | |
| 0:17 | |
| 1:55 | |
| 3:53 | |
| 11:31 | |
| 17:12 | |
| 24:47 | |
| 28:00 | |
| 30:05 |
Transcript
Loading transcript...
- / -