The History of Theophylact Simocatta

This is the first translation into English of the History of Theophylact Simocatta, the last major historian of classical antiquity. By far the most important source for the history of the late sixth century A.D., the History has never before been fully evaluated due to Theophylact's obscure and idiosyncratic style. The narrative concentrates on the acts of war that threatened the stability of the reign of Emperor Maurice (A.D. 582-602)--the Persian War and struggles with the Avar federation and the Slav tribes in the Balkans.