History

The book is an analytical biography of Emperor Justinian II. Justinian II, also known as Rinotmetos, was the last Byzantine emperor of the Heraclian line. He reigned from 685 to 695 and from 705 to 711. Justinian unified the office of consul and that of the emperor, making the emperor the head of state. He also abolished the consulate in 686.

Summary
The son of Constantine IV and Anastasia, Justinian was raised as joint emperor in 681. At the age of sixteen, Justinian assumed sole control of the throne. Historians described Justinian II as ambitious and overtly passionate. He was an emperor who responded poorly to discontent. At times, however, he was talented and perceptive, succeeded in improving the plight of the Byzantine Empire against the Moslems of the East and the barbarians of the North. He was also the first emperor to include the image of Christ on coins issued in his name. He also attempted to ban pagan festivals and practices which persisted in the empire for centuries. The pagans went underground as the Christians did three centuries ago.

Justinian launched a preliminary assault against the Arabs in Armenia. The Umayyad Caliph agreed to increase the tribute paid to the Byzantine Empire. Justinian also captured the island of Cyprus. As part of his agreements with the Caliph, Justinian removed more than 12 000 Christian Maronites from Lebanon. He also resettled the Mardaites in Asia Minor, thus potentially increasing both his army and navy.

After stabilizing the conditions in the East, Justinian struck at the Balkans. Justinian transferred Byzantine cavalry units from Asia Minor to Thrace. From 688 to 689, Justinian launched a military campaign against the Bulgars. He recaptured Thessalonica. The subdued Slaves were resettled in Anatolia. They were forced to provide military service for the empire. Justinian now renewed his war against the Arabs. Justinian defeated the Arabs in Armenia but soon faced a general Slave revolt. The emperor defeated the Slavs but the Arabs attacked Armenia.

Justinians war was augmented by his bloody persecution of the Manicheans. In 692, Justinian convened the Quinisext Council at Constantinople to implement his religious policies. The Council compromised relations with the Roman church. The emperor unwittingly ordered Pope Sergius I arrested, but the Roman militia revolted and protected the Pope. Justinian also increased the themes of the empire. He also sought to protect the rights of peasants  the main body of the Byzantine Army.

Justinians policies attracted widespread revolts throughout the empire. He was deposed by a coalition of church and public officials. While in exile, Justinian plotted to retake the throne. He gathered a group of supporters and increased the size of his standing army. He launched an attack against Constantinople and deposed the emperor. He assumed the Byzantine throne.

His return attracted revolts throughout the empire. Finally, a powerful army deposed and executed him. His son, the six-year old co-emperor was murdered.

Strengths and Weaknesses
The author apparently draws his information from three major historical documents  that written by Patriarch Kallinikos of Constantinople, the journal of Pope Sergius I, and the historian of the Caliph. The author recognizes the biases of these sources. Specifically, according to the author, these documents are clearly anti-Justinian as they were written by the enemies of the empire. Needless to say, the documents are proximate descriptions of historical events which need careful analysis.

Thus, the main weakness of the book is its overt reliance on impudent historical document (especially that of the caliphs historian). This may affect the internal validity of the authors analysis. Indeed, many of the authors claims are either untested or derived from unjust exposition. It is impossible to paint a clear image of the emperor without a clear reference to associated imageries.

Thus, in order to truly understand the nature of Justinian II, other historical documents  primarily those on Justinians camp  should be presented. To the historian, a compromise between conflicting documents can be reached  possibly with greater clarity. Note that the audience of the book is the common reader  the individual who is attached to history books. In short, if the book is not lacking, it should cater to the intellectual needs of the audience. In short, it must be an explanatory work  not just a narrative of events and people. It must be a narrative of events and people situated in logical historical milieu.