The Last Great War of Antiquity by James Howard-Johnston;

Author:James Howard-Johnston; [Howard-Johnston, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780192565891
Publisher: OUP Premium
Published: 2021-05-02T00:00:00+00:00

7.2 Invasion of Persian Territory

The physical mobilization of the men summoned to arms by Heraclius, likened by George of Pisidia to the drawing together of particles of gold by quicksilver,18 was complemented in the psychological sphere by his well-judged use of black propaganda to strengthen their commitment to the Roman cause. Caesarea, the chosen assembly place, was not only convenient in terms of terrain (its plain was open but shielded from attack by the Taurus and Anti-Taurus ranges) and the availability of supplies, but it also served a strategic purpose. Once the Persians got wind of Roman movements, it would no longer be possible to pretend that a European campaign was being planned for 624, but the choice of a forward base of operations in southern Asia Minor was calculated to give the impression that Heraclius intended to take the field against Shahrbaraz’s forces in Cilicia and northern Syria. Shahrbaraz would have to take measures to cope both with a Roman pre-emptive thrust into the occupied territories and with the great enhancement of Asia Minor defences which a large field army would bring about. That would inevitably delay the start of his own campaign and allay any anxiety in the army being mobilized far away to the north-east in Atropatene.

Heraclius’ real plan of campaign was quite different, and when he put it into action, he achieved complete strategic surprise. Martina, not subsequently mentioned as accompanying her husband on campaign in any reputable source, was sent back to Constantinople, probably in the charge of Anianus (deputy to the Magister Officiorum and regent Bonus), who had accompanied her to Caesarea.19 Heraclius then set off north-east at high speed (like a fast running breeze), to pick up the main northern road leading from Asia Minor into Armenia. He marched east along the upper Euphrates valley, aiming initially for Theodosiopolis. He forded the river, sped past the city, crossed the watershed beyond, and entered the traditional Persian sector of Armenia. Caught by surprise, their defences ill-organized, several important cities were exposed to attack as he passed by. No opposition was encountered in the field. Dvin, the administrative and military capital of Persarmenia, saw its territory ravaged, as did Nakhchawan, which commands the strategic passage where the Araxes pushes its way around the southern outliers of Karabakh.20 After this, the route of invasion turned south into Atropatene and the core territories of the Sasanian Empire.21

At this psychologically important moment (not long before the summer solstice), Heraclius addressed another formal assembly of his troops. The gist of his speech is presented in verse form by George of Pisidia in the Official History. A fair amount of it is reproduced reasonably faithfully (much of the metre has been preserved) by Theophanes. By taking personal command of operations, Heraclius had cast aside the traditional aloofness of an emperor. His role on campaign was to lead by example and to share the hardships and dangers with his men. He stressed his solidarity with them by addressing them as his brothers.

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