Justinian as a ruler who directed rather than commanded

Justinian appears as a secure imperial ruler who did not seek personal glory in the field. He leaves battlefield command to generals such as Belisarius and Narses while he manages politics and provides continuity at the centre of government. The book's structure moves from the emperor and the state to sources, the sixth-century army, wars with Persia, reconquests in Africa and Italy, the Balkans, and internal challenges. The military campaigns therefore form part of the wider problem of governing and sustaining an empire, with victories credited to more than one commander.