Warfare dominated the classical phase of ancient history, largely because large and small political entities competed with each other in a complex system of layers, with each state informing the others in terms of social mores, norms of behavior and even dress. Howard-Johnson (Oxford U.) analyzes the end of the classical period in this series of eight studies published from 1983 to 2004, with another new article describing Al-Tabari on the last great war of antiquity. Topics include a comparison of the Sasanian empire and Rome; Procopius, Roman defenses north of the Taurus and the new fortress of Citharizon; Byzantine Anxitene; the official history of Heraclius's Persian campaigns; an examination of the aims, motives and working methods of Sebeos and Movses Daskhurantsi, Armenian historians of Heraclius; the siege of Constantinople in 626; Heraclius's Persona campaigns and the revival of the Eastern Roman Empire, 622-630; and Khusro II and his regime, 626-628. Articles are in their original formats with the original page numbers. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)