Michael Baizerman Author

I am currently revising a chapter about the Cretan War, which involved the Byzantine army led by General Nikephoros Phokas and the Muslim forces in Crete. This conflict reached its climax during the siege of Chandax (960-961). My paper will be divided into 14 sections and will include a re-evaluation of key themes. The first section, titled "The Outcasts," narrates the story of a group of Andalusian Muslims who were exiled from their homeland. In their search for a new home, they formed a naval detachment that succeeded in conquering Crete from the Byzantine Empire.   In the second section, "The Byzantine Chronicles," I discuss my perspective on the primary sources for this narrative, including "The History of Leo the Deacon." The third section, "The Emirate of Crete," explores the political situation on the eve of the invasion and examines the economic relations between the Muslim and Christian populations. Additionally, I am revising the first ...

I am re-editing a new chapter on medieval naval tactics in the Mediterranean, focusing on the final Byzantine attempt to recapture Crete from the Muslim Emirate (c. 824-961). My paper relies on both Byzantine and Arab sources to create a more balanced perspective; however, this approach also leaves some gaps in the narrative. For instance, it remains unclear what happened to the Muslim fleet, which did not participate in the defense of the island. Additionally, the accounts of the size of the East Roman fleet are often exaggerated. The Roman commander Nikephoros Phokas appears to be a solitary figure, lacking the support of senior officers. We only know the name of one officer who perished, as he disregarded his orders. This is the chapter template: a. The Importance of Crete b. An Overview of Byzantine Chronicles c. The Emirate of Crete d. The Declaration of War e. The Voyage f. Landing g. Setting Up Camp h. The Siege i. Guerrilla Operations j. Winter k. Relations...

  A s planned, I completed revising my paper on Niketas Ooryphas and uploaded it to my Academia page: https://www.academia.edu/125356518/The_Battle_of_the_Gulf_of_Corinth The Battle of the Corinthian Gulf is significant not for its naval tactics during combat but for the meticulous preparation that preceded the engagement. The victorious commander successfully transported warships overland across the isthmus connecting the Aegean Sea with the western Peloponnese. The exact method of this transport remains a mystery. However, the Byzantine admiral launched a surprise attack against the Cretan Muslims, who were unable to maneuver their ships for a defensive position. While this victory was important, it was not decisive, as Arab warships continued to dominate the Aegean, Ionian, and Adriatic sea lanes. This dominance instilled fear in coastal settlements and posed a persistent threat to the weakened provinces of the Eastern Roman Empire. Furthermore, I have completed the draft of "...

  I have created a series of articles on medieval warfare tactics, collectively titled "  The Intricacies of Naval Warfare." The first two papers are available on my Academia page: https://www.academia.edu/122683998/The_Battle_of_Ad_Decimum https://www.academia.edu/124564608/The_Umayyad_Siege_of_Constantinople_717_718_ I have penned three additional essays, but they are not yet edited. Currently, I am revising one of them, tentatively titled "The Portage of Ships Across the Isthmus." However, I have paused writing the draft for my final study, "The Battle of Chioggia." My latest paper, "The Umayyad Siege of Constantinople," has gained moderate traction with over 100 views. Interestingly, many readers have shown interest in older articles from my second book, "The Enchanting Encounter with the East: Breaking the Ice Between the Latin West and the Far East." The total view count for this book approaches 13,000, and I have over 150 followe...

I have outlined the plot of my upcoming article, which will focus on the joint attack on the Byzantine capital by the forces of the Syrian army and the caliphate fleet. The Arab siege of Constantinople lasted approximately 13 months, from July 717 to August 718. The article will be divided into the following sections: A: The Umayyad Caliphate B: Pre-war Byzantine C: Preparations D: The Grand Invasion E: Negotiations F: Leo the Gambler G: The siege H: The Bitter Winter I: Reinforcements J: Lifting the siege K: The Aftermath   The first two parts will describe the Umayyad Caliphate and Byzantium on the brink of war. The next two sections will discuss the Arab preparations for the invasion and the beginning of military activities. Sections five and six will focus on the negotiations between the main characters: General Maslama of the Syrian army and his Byzantine counterpart, General Leo the Isaurian, who later ascended the throne as Leo III. Sections seven a...

  I was not satisfied with the previous draft of this chapter, so I decided to conduct new research and found new features. I started by creating a new database and I am currently in the process of gathering valuable information and developing content for a future narrative. As I mentioned before, I will not reference "Greek Fire" in this chapter. However, I am considering the possibility that Byzantine sailors could have used less technological methods, such as fire arrows or grenades hurled or launched by catapults, to burn enemy ships. I will be examining Arabic sources for the negotiations between Leo III and the Arabic commanders, although it's worth noting that these late accounts may not be entirely reliable. The same refers to the Byzantine sources.    Additionally, I have added a new book to my reading list: "A Sailor's Life for Me: the Middle Byzantine Sailor on Board and at Port" by Zeynep Olgun. This book, which is the author's thesis for th...

This will be my second article on medieval naval tactics in the Mediterranean. I finished writing this paper many months ago, but I was not ready to release it. Now, I understand why. The account needs to be revised, not only as a literary narrative but also as a concept. A good example is the presumed application of Greek Fire by Byzantine marines. Almost every chronicle mentions this, and modern explorers also repeat this fact. However, I am doubtful about its accuracy. We won't argue about the term. The Crusaders called it Greek Fire, although the Byzantines identified themselves as Romans and used artificial fire, liquid fire, or sea fire. It was stored behind the deck in a large boiler, heated on an open fire, channeled through a tube to the nozzle, and sprayed under pressure toward an enemy ship. When I described it to my friend, a retired engineer, it made him laugh. How could this system work on a wooden boat when even a small human error or technological blunder could lead...

T his week, I revised my article on the battle between the Byzantine army, led by General Belisarius, and the Vandal army, commanded by King Gelimer. This paper, which is part of my new project called The Intricacies of Naval Warfare, is 4600 words long. The abstract of my article states that the Byzantine campaign against Gelimer, who seized the Vandal throne, was a crucial military operation aimed at reclaiming former Roman provinces in the Mediterranean region. Procopius, our sole source on the Vandalic War, attributes the victory to General Flavius Belisarius's skill and leadership. In addition to battling the enemy, Belisarius had to navigate the political intrigues of the East Roman court. In my narrative, I emphasize the naval aspects of the engagement and its historical significance. You can access this article and join the discussion at https://www.academia.edu/122683998/The_Battle_of_Ad_Decimum, or read my other work at i ndependent.academia.edu/BaizermanMichael. I will ...

Yesterday, I received some great feedback on my recent article "Galley Slaves." Dr. Dwight C Spratley praised my efforts in communicating history to non-specialists, Rien de Meij suggested that my paper summarizes the current level of knowledge, Hans-Heindrich Nolte asked about differences in oarsmen's conditions throughout the Mediterranean, and Peter Krejsa inquired about considerations regarding the cost-benefit situation. I am grateful for these comments as they will help me delve deeper into the topic. https://www.academia.edu/121984361/_Galley_Slaves_ In the meantime, I have re-edited and published two parts of the prelude to my project on Wattpad. You can access them using the following links: https://www.wattpad.com/1457143934-a-tale-of-two-brands-part-1-war-galleys-in-the https://www.wattpad.com/1464879203-a-tale-of-two-brands-part-ii-the-round-ship-part Additionally, I have prepared a lecture based on my paper "Vettor Fausto's Quinquereme." I will ...

 I have been preparing another lecture on galleys, which will comprise two parts. The first part is devoted to Vettor Fausto's quinquereme, i.e., a vessel with five oars on each bank. It is based on my article  https://www.academia.edu/117426402/Vettor_Fausto_s_Quinquereme The second part embraces several topics: nocturnal voyage, operational range, speed, and crew watering. It is based on yet unpublished parts of the article "The Early Light Galleys."  In the meantime, I continue familiarizing myself with the events of the War of Chioggia (1378-1380), my next target. I want to check the situation in Tenedos (an island at the entrance to the Dardanelles) and Tana (Azov), the northmost Italian trading station at the mouth of the Don River. These locales are associated with the struggle between Venice and Genoa for domination in the Eastern Mediterranean. They are mentioned in the Treaty of Milan (1380), which sealed the war. I started developing ideas and collecting images...

https://www.geschichtsforum.de/thema/die-quinquereme-von-vettor-fausto-die-groesste-galeere-aller-zeiten.24504/  I t took me about a week after my return to complete the initial draft of "The Fall of New Rome." I collected numerous notes which I will review while going through the paper. I plan to add illustrations and a conclusion. However, the work is now finished and needs to sit for a while. I have started gathering data for the last chapter of Part III, which is about The War of Chioggia. This was the final clash between Venice and Genoa in their struggle to maintain a trade monopoly with the East. Additionally, I have worked on a magazine version of my first article, "Galleys in the Medieval Mediterranean." I have adjusted the style to make it more accessible to the general public and informal. I recently renewed my membership as a patron of the Scribd online library, which allows me to borrow entire books for my research. Unfortunately, not all books can be...

  I will leave for some time, so this post says goodbye.  Writing of a new draft goes smoothly. I completed parts 1 and 2, and have started part 3.    Part 1: The Rendezvous at Venice A: The Untimely Arrival B: The Treaty of Venice C: Mustering the Army D: In Dire Straits Part 2: The Sack of Zara   A: The Elegant Exit from the Mess B: The Departure from Venice and the Capture of Zara Part 3: The Siege of Constantinople A: A New Development B: Leaving Zara    On June 3, I will deliver a Zoom lecture  based on my article, "Latin Galleys, Horse Transports, and Purpose-Built Oared Craft: Medieval Advanced Technology in the Wine-Dark Sea." I am eagerly looking forward to sharing my insights with a broad audience. https://www.academia.edu/116455561/Latin_Galleys_Horse_Transports_and_Purpose_Built_Oared_Craft_Medieval_Advanced_Technology_in_the_Wine_Dark_Sea  Follow me on Wattpad, where I uploaded two shortened versions of m...

Image: The Full-Scale Siege of a Fortified Town https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Crusade#/media/File:Crusaders_attack_Constantinople.jpg I am currently engrossed in the draft of a new research project titled "The Fall of New Rome." It took me three versions to achieve a breakthrough. The complexity and extensive research on the topic initially made me uncertain about the value of my contribution. After completing a third version, I became more self-assured. It is possible to write a final draft, even with minor discrepancies. I have nearly finished re-writing Part I: The Rendezvous at Venice, which consists of four sections: The Untimely Arrival, The Treaty of Venice, Mustering the Army, and In Dire Straits. As you probably know, this is a three-part account centered on Venice, Zara, and Constantinople. I also uploaded a new article called "Rowing a scaloccio." It discusses a new rowing technique developed by sixteenth-century Mediterranean galleys and its im...

Dear readers,  I am deeply grateful for your unwavering interest in  this blog, even during my occasional lapses in diligence. Your support has been instrumental in the blog's success, with over 20 K views. Thank you for being a part of this journey . Since our last interaction,  I have been diligently active, contributing several insightful articles to my page on Academia. These pieces delve into various aspects of naval history, shedding new light on our understanding of the past. I am excited to share these notes with you .   https://www.academia.edu/111701661/Early_War_Galleys The following article provides detailed information about a particular craft, covering its dimensions, design, and displacement. Additionally, it comments on the craft's functions during times of warfare, peacetime, and limitations during sailing seasons. The article also discusses the craft's ability to steer at night, its operational range, speed, and how the crew is provided with wa...

Currently, I am meticulously filtering the data for a new chapter, where the insights of Geoffrey of Villehardouin and Robert of Clari play a pivotal role.  Villehardouin, being intimately connected to the crusade leadership, provides us with invaluable insights into the treaties, secret meetings, war councils, and military tactics. On the other hand, Robert of Clari, an ordinary knight with a burning desire to liberate Jerusalem, serves as our window into the mood of the crusading host, military collisions, and the partition of the booty.  I am still determining the plot, but it should include a description of the main events of the Fourth Crusade and its implications on the political climate in the Eastern Mediterranean and the emergence of the Venetian Empire.  My latest scholarly endeavor involves translating my article, The Byzantine Contribution to Maritime Warfare, and preparing an engaging Zoom lecture on the same topic. This work is a testament to my commitm...

I continue assessing the data collected on the Fourth Crusade, especially its diversion to Constantinople and the sack of the Queen of Cities. I began writing notes, groping my way to understanding the events.  Donald E. Queller & Thomas F. Madden's "The Fourth Crusade: The Conquest of Constantinople"  traces the whole enterprise from its proclamation by Pope Innocent to the inception of the Latin Empire on the ruins of Byzantium. I accept the author's conclusion that found no clues for the malicious plot on the part of Venetians or Philip of Swabia against the Eastern Roman Empire. I disagree with those who search the Roman emperors to blame for the destruction of their power. Though politicians tend to make erroneous decisions, the diversion of the Crusade was a gamechanger ushering in a vicious circle of crime.  Now, I reread Geoffrey of Villehardoiun's chronicle about the conquest. He seems to be a knowledgeable source for the train of events. We can rely ...

The Sack of  the New Rome on a Venetian mosaic https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Frammenti_di_mosaico_pavimentale_del_1213,_09.JPG  I have finished collecting data about the sack of Constantinople by a crusading army in 1204. The material is so extensive that it covers about one and a half "notebooks." By a "notebook," I mean up to 150 pages completed in Colibri 11. I have found several sources compiled by the witnesses, both Roman and Latin.  On the Roman side, we have the superb "Annals of Niketas Choniates," the insider report of a Byzantine historian based in Constantinople who endured the siege and fall of the Queen of Cities. I reread this account and can't help admiring his style and vigor. I will adopt some of his descriptions in other narratives.   In the following extract, Niketas refers to the emperor Alexios III Angelos as an unscrupulous pilot plunged in adorable pastime and sensitive to courtly flattery:   "Like a steersman com...

Mariano Barbasán Laguerue   King Pedro of Aragon at the Pass of Pass of Panissars I have nearly completed the draft of a new chapter telling the story of the Crusade against Aragon undertaken by Philip, king of France, with the papal endorsement in 1285. As personal matters played a significant role in the train of events, I put the ousting of Charles of Anjou from the Sicilian throne as one of the main reasons for this enterprise.  Admiral Roger of Lauria cast a long shadow on Catalan maritime activities, and my account devotes some time to his tactics, especially in the Battle of Las Formigues. The ill-fated Crusade ended with the French recognition (de facto) of the Catalan dominance in the Western Mediterranean Sea. I follow the plot issued by Ramon Muntaner's Chronicle.  My next topic is the sack of Constantinople by the participants of the Fourth Crusade. I've just started collecting the data. I will speak briefly of the zigzags of the Crusade and focus on the amphi...