The Siege of Chandax (2)

My new paper is "out in print" after undergoing thorough editing. This chapter examines the history of Chandax, the capital of the Emirate of Crete (820s-961), and its recapture by the Byzantine army led by General Nikephoros Phokas. The author seeks to align the evidence gathered from both Byzantine and Arab chronicles. Additionally, he includes details about the use of trebuchets, the establishment of military encampments, and the methods used to undermine the walls of citadels.

https://www.academia.edu/126933976/The_Siege_of_Chandax_The_Byzantine_Recovery_of_Crete_960_961

I have re-edited the opening chapter of my second book, titled "The Enchanting Encounter with the East." The paper "What If the Earth Is a Sphere" examines medieval geography and includes numerous examples and illustrations. It demonstrates that medieval scholars viewed the Earth as a spherical body at the center of a rotating universe. I plan to upload an excerpt from this paper in three weeks. Additionally, I have begun preparing a Zoom lecture about the siege of Constantinople by an Arab army in 717-718, which will be based on my article.

https://www.academia.edu/124564608/The_Umayyad_Siege_of_Constantinople_717_718_

Currently, I am still gathering data on naval guns and related topics. I am reading an intriguing book titled "The Sea in History: Medieval Period," which features many compelling articles about seafaring.

The Siege of Chandax (1)

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 25 pages of my book, "The Enchanting Encounter with the East," which includes five chapters: 1. What If the Earth Is a Sphere? 2. How to Measure the Earth's Circumference? 3. How Long Does the Inhabited World Span? 4. The Trefoil of the World 5. Where Is the Heart of the World?

I am also working on the beginning of "The Enigma of the Antipodes." Unit I of this book, comprising the first three chapters, will be titled "The Three Trick Questions of Mathematical Geography."

Finally, I have continued to collect data on early naval guns in the Mediterranean to investigate their development, function, shooting range, and accuracy.

Wishing you and your families a Happy New Year! I plan to introduce new developments in my narrative next January.

The Siege of Chandax (2)

 I spent some time collecting and evaluating material for my new topic. 

Last week, I started writing a first draft. I offer you its template (unfinished):

a. The Importance of Crete (on the geopolitical map)

b.  The Emirate of Crete (as the Muslim polity, ca. 824-961)

c. The Preparations for the Campaign (the energetic chief minister, the young emperor, and the head of the expedition)

d. The Voyage (we do not have the entire itinerary but only some stopovers)

e. The Landfall (The armada anchors at Crete, and Nikephoros Phokas conducts the pitched battle on the beach)

f. Setting the Military Camp (Pitching the siege camp in the view of Chandax. The Byzantine practice of setting up camps)

g. The Siege (The failure of the direct assault, the drawn-out confrontation, an attempt to starve out the besieged)

h. Guerilla Operations (The elimination of a Byzantine detachment and Phocas' revenge on Cretan partisans)

i. The Winter (The weather hardships fortified by running out of provisions and the chief minister's brave move to remedy the situation)

 I have written these items and now need to complete the chapter with the two additional items: the final assault on March 7, 961, and Phocas' triumph in Constantinople. I don't know yet about the Bottom Line. I might include it as the chapter's summing up or prefer to combine all chapter conclusions in an additional chapter at the unit's end. 

The second unit, titled "The Intricacies of Naval Warfare," includes five chapters, which is not all.

I wrote these lines two days ago. In the meantime, I added three additional sections:

a.       The Relations Between Muslim Allies

b.       The Final Assault

c.       The Triumph

I still have to develop several pages of notes to make necessary amendments. Last but least, I must write a conclusion to this chapter.