The Social Networks of Justinian’s Generals

Abstract

The generals of Justinian required significant assistance and support to succeed in their assignments. Beyond political support from the emperor and manpower from their bucellarii , these generals relied upon carefully managed social networks. This essay makes use of the terminology of social network analysis to show the links between generals like Belisarius and Narses and their less famous subordinate officers such as Valerian, Martin, and John. Belisarius and Narses relied upon individuals such as these, with whom they served for many years in different theaters of war. The formation of social networks to rally support was so important for a general that he held war conferences to attempt to win over his own subordinate officers to his point of view. The support of a strong social network was especially critical when the official hierarchy of the army was ambiguous or contested, as was frequent in the 530s and 540s. This essay examines the context for the formation of these social networks, proposes preliminary rosters of Belisarius and Narses’s networks, and considers why social networks were so important to these generals.

The Historiography of Crisis: Jordanes, Cassiodorus and Justinian in mid-sixth-century Constantinople

“…Two facts argue against this. First, the way in which 80 Kaldellis 2004b;Kelly 2004: 44;Croke 2001: 78-101 and2005c: 73-6;Parnell 2015. For Ostrogothic Italy, see Moorhead 1983Barnish 1990.…”

“…Kaldellis 2004b; Kelly 2004: 44; Croke 2001: 78–101 and 2005c: 73–6; Parnell 2015. For Ostrogothic Italy, see Moorhead 1983 and 1984; Barnish 1990.…”