The siege of Constantinople in 626

Abstract

Constantinople was excellently positioned to act as the command centre of an empire in secure control of the Balkans and the Mediterranean. But once the Danube frontier was breached and hostile powers were established on the empire's inner, maritime façcade, that position of vantage was transformed into one of great potential vulnerability. From the early fifth century, emperors were compelled to take active measures to assure its defence, and periodic thrusts by land or sea, by enemies or rebels, against the great city were to be a leitmotiv of the millennium which was to follow. But of the many attacks Constantinople faced, none was more menacing than that of the Avars and Persians in the summer of 626.

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