Didacticism in Theophylact Simocatta’s History: A study of late Roman and Sasanian military leadership in an age of transition, 578-602

Strong, Sean 2026. Didacticism in Theophylact Simocatta’s History: A study of late Roman and Sasanian military leadership in an age of transition, 578-602. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Theophylact Simocatta was a historian writing in the Greek historiographical tradition during the early seventh century. His history largely focuses on Emperor Maurice’s Balkan and Persian wars; consequently, military leadership is a central component of his narrative. Whilst traditional studies have focused on analysing Theophylact’s text for information surrounding Maurice’s reign, there has recently been an important move to examining it within the context of Heraclius’ political messaging. Furthermore, Procopius, Agathias, Menander, and Theophylact Simocatta, intended their works to be didactic and therefore this thesis approaches Theophylact’s text in the way he desired it to be read, i.e., a practical guide meant to be a ‘sagacious tutor’ for his readers (Book I. 1. 15). Conor Whately’s 2015 study approached Procopius in this light and proved that his work was a rich tome for deciphering advice about military leadership, demonstrating the author’s credibility as a military historian. Yet the later historians of the sixth and early seventh century still require extensive research focusing on their didactic, and therefore educational, significance within Constantinople’s elite spheres. Accordingly, this thesis bridges that gap by deciphering some of Theophylact’s important messages that he wished to pass on from the perspective of Heraclius’ court. Four core aspects of military leadership have been identified, these include a ruler’s military identity and performance on the battlefield, how senior officials attained, and maintained, military command, how senior commanders were expected to achieve battlefield victory, and lastly the extent sedition could be undertaken legitimately and how Theophylact addresses sedition within the context of Heraclius and Khosrow II. This study not only provides an insight into Theophylact’s views towards these key areas but also extends our understanding of Emperor Heraclius’ court in the 620s, informing contemporary and modern readers about how successful military leadership was viewed and performed during this transitional period of the Roman history. Ultimately, this thesis demonstrates Theophylact’s significance in providing important messages on leadership but in doing so also solidifies his reputation as a credible and significant didactic historian writing at the end of antiquity.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Global Humanities
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D051 Ancient History D History General and Old World > D History (General)
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	7 September 2026
Date of Acceptance:	18 August 2026
Last Modified:	08 Sep 2026 14:31
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/189439

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