The Life Of Belisarius
by Lord Mahon
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Book Summary Information
Author: Lord MahonForeword: Jon Coulston
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-11-30
ISBN: 1594160198
Number of pages: 256
Publisher: Westholme Publishing
Book Reviews of The Life Of Belisarius
Book Review: A Meta-analysis of Belisarius
Summary: 1 Stars
Mahon is a classical writer of his times: quite stilted. His prose takes getting used to for a modern reader, but after a chapter or so this difficulty fades. (Anyone studying the style for parody can profit...)
Mahon is also decidedly judgemental. He occasionally takes Belisarius to task for some failing, almost like a snippy schoolmarm. Seeing that 1 1/2 millenia had elapsed between Belisarius and Mahon, you'd think that Mahon might realize that not all the story would be available to him, or that the prevailing ethos of the time might not fit Georgian England. I dismissed Mahon's crabby asides, and to tell the truth it wasn't present to a degree to ruin my reading experience.
I was mostly interested in a condensed version of Belisarius'long and complex story, rather than reading through english translations of classical histories. Mahon waded through all the Latin stuff (the list of citations is impressive) and then condensed it. He tells it pretty well, including enough adventure, action and detail to give a tangy flavor.
Russell Crowe could take part of the Bel story and easily have a movie to top "Gladiator. "
I was particularly fascinated that Belisarus did not reject Emporer Justinian and make himself King, especially during the first Italian campaign. He easily could have done this, as he had the place under control and Justinian was tapped out in terms of troops and resources. Justinian had been a weak reed of support in the campaign, enough to cast a cloud on what might lay in store for the Romans of Italy. Mahon makes it clear that the Italian territories were not well served by those both before and after Bel.
Belisarius' sense of fairness might well have captured the allegiance of the conquered territories just as it did to his troops.
But Belisarius stayed true to his soldier's oath to Justinian. Stiff-necked or honorable?
The Roman Empire is full of stories of fabulous accomplishment followed by astounding stupidity. Belisarius is a great example of this trope.
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