Byzantine and Islamic systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Byzantine and Islamic systems - Essay Example While previous adaptations played a major role in shaping the conflict that occurred between the Byzantine and Islamic empires, they were insufficient to operate on their own due to the consistent changes and dynamics that had occurred in the empires over time (Miller, 2002 n.p.). Therefore, it was inevitable for both systems to adapt a unique and current tactics and strategies that would not suffice for the intended dominance and supremacy wars. The Byzantine system borrowed more from the already collapsed Roman Empire of the 4th century, since they were more or less founded on similar principles (Watson, 2010 p87). Similarly, the Islamic systems also borrowed very much from the Huns, who were ancient Muslims who also had engaged in fights with the earlier Roman opponents, only that there was an addition of more Islam zeal during this period (Esposito, 1988 p37). Thus, it is apparent that both systems adapted strategies that would enable them defeat their opponents, which included f orging ties with the neighboring empires to reinforce their might. Nevertheless, through academic research, this explorative paper concluded that both the Byzantine Empire and Islamic System had military, cultural and economic force. However, the analysis found that the Islamic empire had a religious force behind their push, which served to compensate for the lack of a sophisticated administrative system, like the one that the Byzantine Empire had already put in place. Military within Byzantine Empire was made up of a large force, which did not reduce despite several incursions from the Muslims, owing to the continued growth of the population within the Byzantine Empire (Watson, 2010 p82). Byzantine Empire Military managed to maintain a huge force starting the 10th century through the 12th century, although the sufficient resources required to create such large armies and enhance their efficiency had dwindled over time, making it impossible for the empire to establish a large effici ent national army. The strength of the Byzantine Empire Military was based on the establishment of a sophisticated administrative system through the 10th and the 11th century, referred to as the theme system (Haldon, 2002 p12). This system divided the whole Byzantine Empire into several administrative units, which were then able to consolidate their authority over the territory they manned, at the expense of the establishment of large national army, which would require much resources and logistical planning and strategies. The thematic system was applied as an effective solution tool, to counter the Islamic army attacks, which were being experienced from different sides of the Byzantine Empire, making it possible for rapid response to the attacks, as opposed to the large national military response, which would be delayed by the logistical and the resource requirements (Miller, 2002 n.p.). The essence of the thematic military strategy applied by the Byzantine Empire, was to maintain a full time field presence of the troops in different regions of the empire that were prone to attacks, something that would not be efficient, through the use of a large national army (Esposito, 1988 p42). Military within Islamic System was based on a different system, which was an element of the previous adaptations from the Huns, who were also involved in conflicts with the earlier Roman Empire. The ‘hit and run’ tactic was the one the Muslim system mostly applied in their assault against the Byzantine Empire, which was perpetually threatened from various quarters. However, while the Muslim system borrowed the tactic from the Huns, who had previously engaged in a series of battle with the Roman Empire, they invoked the religious