Michael Baizerman - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Michael Baizerman
This chapter reviews the story of Chandax, the capital of the Emirate of Crete (820s- 961), and i... more This chapter reviews the story of Chandax, the capital of the Emirate of Crete (820s- 961), and its capture by the Byzantine army led by General Nikephoros Phokas. The author attempts to match the evidence extracted from Byzantine and Arab chronicles. He added facts about using the trebuchets, setting up military encampments, and undermining the walls of citadels.
The Battle of the Corinthian Gulf is notable not for its naval tactics during combat but for the ... more The Battle of the Corinthian Gulf is notable not for its naval tactics during combat but for the meticulous preparation that preceded the engagement. The victor managed to transport warships overland via the isthmus that connects the Aegean Sea with the western Peloponnese. How he did it remains a mystery; however, the Byzantine admiral did launch a surprise attack against the Cretan Muslims, who did not have the time and stamina to rally their fleet. While the victory was significant, it was not overwhelming, as Arab warships continued to dominate the Aegean, Ionian, and Adriatic Seas, instilling fear in coastal settlements and posing a persistent danger to enfeebled provinces of the Eastern Roman Empire.
Constantinople had endured a thirteenth-month siege on land and a naval blockade. The article exp... more Constantinople had endured a thirteenth-month siege on land and a naval blockade. The article explains why the seat of the Eastern Roman Empire turned a tough but to crack for the superior Umayyad forces. The author ascribes the Byzantine victory to the skillful use of resources, advanced maritime tactics, and the support of the Bulgar allies. He denies the application of the Greek fire and offers several possible options.
Keywords: Umayyad Caliphate, Constantinople, Maslama, Leo III, Theodosian Walls, dromon, Greek fire
The Byzantine campaign against Gelimer, who usurped the throne of the Vandals, was the first mili... more The Byzantine campaign against Gelimer, who usurped the throne of the Vandals, was the first military operation to restore former Roman provinces in the Mediterranean basin. Procopius, our only source of the Vandalic War, credits the victory to General Flavius Belisarius's competence. The commander led his troops with skill and was assisted by local supporters. In addition to fighting the enemy, he had to contend with the intrigues of the East Roman court. In the narrative, I emphasized the naval aspects of the military engagement.
Justinian, Belisarius, Gelimer, the Vandals
My research focuses on the diverse individuals who rowed galleys in the Early Modern Mediterranea... more My research focuses on the diverse individuals who rowed galleys in the Early Modern Mediterranean. I specifically examine the category of rowers known as “galley slaves,” a term that accurately applies to a distinct group of rowers from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries. Towards the end of the Age of the Galley, the number of rowed warships plummeted, and slave traffic sought other destinations to achieve their nefarious objectives.
The article discusses the new rowing technique developed by sixteenth-century Mediterranean galle... more The article discusses the new rowing technique developed by sixteenth-century Mediterranean galleys and its impact on the recruitment and status of rowers in different fleets.
Keywords: a scaloccio, war galleys, "volunteers", "galley slaves", press gangs
The article focuses on a sixteenth-century experiment to build a massive galley that was rowed al... more The article focuses on a sixteenth-century experiment to build a massive galley that was rowed alla sensile, with five oars per bench. Vettor Fausto proposed the idea of a colossal warship armed with a powerful cannon, which later became part of a successful strategy that led to the creation of the galleasses of Lepanto.
The article explores the innovations that allowed Latin galleys to dominate medieval naval warfar... more The article explores the innovations that allowed Latin galleys to dominate medieval naval warfare from the 12th to the 15th century.
Keywords: alla sensible, outrigger, bireme, trireme, stand-and-sit stroke, centerline rudder, taride, galiot, fusta, bergantina
Chapter 1 of my ongoing project, "The Fright and Thrill of Navigation," deals with medieval Medit... more Chapter 1 of my ongoing project, "The Fright and Thrill of Navigation," deals with medieval Mediterranean galleys. It elaborates on their dimensions, design, and displacement. The article also comments on the craft's functions in warfare, peacetime, and sailing season constraints. It further focuses on nocturnal steering, operational range, speed, and watering the crews. The paper concludes with notes on coastal shipping, beaching, life expectancy, and visibility.
This is the third part of an article devoted to seafaring in the medieval Mediterranean. The auth... more This is the third part of an article devoted to seafaring in the medieval Mediterranean. The author confronts the two watercraft brands, i.e., galleys and round ships, in terms of their design, propulsion, seaworthiness, mode of sailing, and the rhythm of voyaging.
The Reappraisal sums up all parts of the article, elaborating on galleys, round ships, and their comparison and contrast.
Keywords: galleys, round ships, marine architecture, roundabout course, direct voyage
Sailing ships took advantage of winds, tides, and currents but struggled with impaired mobility i... more Sailing ships took advantage of winds, tides, and currents but struggled with impaired mobility in windless seas. Due to technological imperfections, medieval vessels could not run against the wind. The bigger versions had no trouble crossing deep waters and did not require frequent layovers in ports. The passengers sustained traumatic experiences during squalls. The Mediterranean was not closed for shipping in winter.
The article delves into galleys as omnipresent warships in the medieval Mediterranean. It analyse... more The article delves into galleys as omnipresent warships in the medieval Mediterranean. It analyses their performance, propulsion, sailing mode, and behavior on choppy seas. The paper elaborates on the craft's freeboard, wintering, and provisioning. The concluding chapter sums up the storyline.
Even a landlubber, casting an eye on a bustling harbor, could easily discern two watercraft brand... more Even a landlubber, casting an eye on a bustling harbor, could easily discern two watercraft brands traversing the inlet: light and sleek galleys propelled by oars against tubby and clumsy sailing ships driven by the whims of winds and waves. These breeds, hoving into view in numerous ports along the shores of the medieval Mediterranean, epitomized the ubiquitous compromise between speed, capacity, activity range, and seaworthiness. Grazioso Benincasa. Detail from a 1482 nautical chart depicting a galley and a Portuguese caravel https://www.meisterdrucke.ie/fine-art-prints/Grazioso-Benincasa/1101817/ Galley-and-Portuguese-caravel,-detail-from-the-Nautical-chart-of-the-Mediterranean.html
"The Enchanting Encounter with the east", Chapter 29, 2022
This is the last chapter of my book about Latin academics' slow familiarity with the sights and s... more This is the last chapter of my book about Latin academics' slow familiarity with the sights and sounds of the Far East during the Late Middle Ages. The paper focuses on the travels and mission of John of Montecorvino, a papal legate to the court of Kublai Khan. The Bottom Line section summarizes the main ideas of Unit VI of my research.
"The Enchanting Encounter with the East", chapter 28, 2022
The paper describes a French friar's journey to the Mongol Great Khan court in the mid-thirteenth... more The paper describes a French friar's journey to the Mongol Great Khan court in the mid-thirteenth century. William describes a surrealistic picture as if he visited an alien planet. His interest in geography and ethnography makes his account a valuable source of information.
"The Enchanting Encounter with the East", Chapter 27, 2022
The paper follows the traces of one of the first European medieval travelers to the Far East. The... more The paper follows the traces of one of the first European medieval travelers to the Far East. The Franciscan monk returned, having endured painful hardships, to tell a fascinating story about the Mongols' habits and mores. He also provided food for thought for the imminent threat of a military assault against Western Europe and advocated for European mutual security. Tags: John of Plano Carpini, Pope Innocent, Great Khan Guyuk
"The Enchanting Encounter with the East", Chapter 27, 2022
The paper follows the traces of one of the first European medieval travelers to the Far East. The... more The paper follows the traces of one of the first European medieval travelers to the Far East. The Franciscan monk returned, having endured painful hardships, to tell a fascinating story about the Mongols' habits and mores. He also provided food for thought for the imminent threat of a military assault against Western Europe and advocated for European mutual security.
Tags: John of Plano Carpini, Pope Innocent, Great Khan Guyuk
"The Enchanting Encounter with the East", chapter 26
The paper outlines the Catholic spiritual "crusade" executed by a bunch of Latin monks who, under... more The paper outlines the Catholic spiritual "crusade" executed by a bunch of Latin monks who, under the orders of the Apostolic See, had reached the rim of the then-known inhabited world. The author cited the hardships of the journey and the psychological shock of encountering offensive cultural norms. Their reports penned after the safe return became the valuable legacy of European courts and the papal curia.
Tags: John of Plano Carpini, Marco Polo, Benedict the Pole, John of Marignolli, Odoric of Pordenone, Andrew of Perugia, John of Montecorvino, Jordan of Severac (Cataslani), Francesco Pegolotti.
The Enchanting Encounter with the East, 2022
The paper completes Prester John's saga. The echo of the power strife on the steppes reaches West... more The paper completes Prester John's saga. The echo of the power strife on the steppes reaches West European intellectuals, who remake it in the contest between the overwhelming Christian overlord and a budding pagan rival. The underdog wins this geopolitical game to become the ruler of Asia while his adversary demises. I also added the Bottom Line and the Notes to the whole unit.
Tags: Kara Khitai Khanate, Prester John, Chinggis Khan, Wang Khan
This chapter reviews the story of Chandax, the capital of the Emirate of Crete (820s- 961), and i... more This chapter reviews the story of Chandax, the capital of the Emirate of Crete (820s- 961), and its capture by the Byzantine army led by General Nikephoros Phokas. The author attempts to match the evidence extracted from Byzantine and Arab chronicles. He added facts about using the trebuchets, setting up military encampments, and undermining the walls of citadels.
The Battle of the Corinthian Gulf is notable not for its naval tactics during combat but for the ... more The Battle of the Corinthian Gulf is notable not for its naval tactics during combat but for the meticulous preparation that preceded the engagement. The victor managed to transport warships overland via the isthmus that connects the Aegean Sea with the western Peloponnese. How he did it remains a mystery; however, the Byzantine admiral did launch a surprise attack against the Cretan Muslims, who did not have the time and stamina to rally their fleet. While the victory was significant, it was not overwhelming, as Arab warships continued to dominate the Aegean, Ionian, and Adriatic Seas, instilling fear in coastal settlements and posing a persistent danger to enfeebled provinces of the Eastern Roman Empire.
Constantinople had endured a thirteenth-month siege on land and a naval blockade. The article exp... more Constantinople had endured a thirteenth-month siege on land and a naval blockade. The article explains why the seat of the Eastern Roman Empire turned a tough but to crack for the superior Umayyad forces. The author ascribes the Byzantine victory to the skillful use of resources, advanced maritime tactics, and the support of the Bulgar allies. He denies the application of the Greek fire and offers several possible options.
Keywords: Umayyad Caliphate, Constantinople, Maslama, Leo III, Theodosian Walls, dromon, Greek fire
The Byzantine campaign against Gelimer, who usurped the throne of the Vandals, was the first mili... more The Byzantine campaign against Gelimer, who usurped the throne of the Vandals, was the first military operation to restore former Roman provinces in the Mediterranean basin. Procopius, our only source of the Vandalic War, credits the victory to General Flavius Belisarius's competence. The commander led his troops with skill and was assisted by local supporters. In addition to fighting the enemy, he had to contend with the intrigues of the East Roman court. In the narrative, I emphasized the naval aspects of the military engagement.
Justinian, Belisarius, Gelimer, the Vandals
My research focuses on the diverse individuals who rowed galleys in the Early Modern Mediterranea... more My research focuses on the diverse individuals who rowed galleys in the Early Modern Mediterranean. I specifically examine the category of rowers known as “galley slaves,” a term that accurately applies to a distinct group of rowers from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries. Towards the end of the Age of the Galley, the number of rowed warships plummeted, and slave traffic sought other destinations to achieve their nefarious objectives.
The article discusses the new rowing technique developed by sixteenth-century Mediterranean galle... more The article discusses the new rowing technique developed by sixteenth-century Mediterranean galleys and its impact on the recruitment and status of rowers in different fleets.
Keywords: a scaloccio, war galleys, "volunteers", "galley slaves", press gangs
The article focuses on a sixteenth-century experiment to build a massive galley that was rowed al... more The article focuses on a sixteenth-century experiment to build a massive galley that was rowed alla sensile, with five oars per bench. Vettor Fausto proposed the idea of a colossal warship armed with a powerful cannon, which later became part of a successful strategy that led to the creation of the galleasses of Lepanto.
The article explores the innovations that allowed Latin galleys to dominate medieval naval warfar... more The article explores the innovations that allowed Latin galleys to dominate medieval naval warfare from the 12th to the 15th century.
Keywords: alla sensible, outrigger, bireme, trireme, stand-and-sit stroke, centerline rudder, taride, galiot, fusta, bergantina
Chapter 1 of my ongoing project, "The Fright and Thrill of Navigation," deals with medieval Medit... more Chapter 1 of my ongoing project, "The Fright and Thrill of Navigation," deals with medieval Mediterranean galleys. It elaborates on their dimensions, design, and displacement. The article also comments on the craft's functions in warfare, peacetime, and sailing season constraints. It further focuses on nocturnal steering, operational range, speed, and watering the crews. The paper concludes with notes on coastal shipping, beaching, life expectancy, and visibility.
This is the third part of an article devoted to seafaring in the medieval Mediterranean. The auth... more This is the third part of an article devoted to seafaring in the medieval Mediterranean. The author confronts the two watercraft brands, i.e., galleys and round ships, in terms of their design, propulsion, seaworthiness, mode of sailing, and the rhythm of voyaging.
The Reappraisal sums up all parts of the article, elaborating on galleys, round ships, and their comparison and contrast.
Keywords: galleys, round ships, marine architecture, roundabout course, direct voyage
Sailing ships took advantage of winds, tides, and currents but struggled with impaired mobility i... more Sailing ships took advantage of winds, tides, and currents but struggled with impaired mobility in windless seas. Due to technological imperfections, medieval vessels could not run against the wind. The bigger versions had no trouble crossing deep waters and did not require frequent layovers in ports. The passengers sustained traumatic experiences during squalls. The Mediterranean was not closed for shipping in winter.
The article delves into galleys as omnipresent warships in the medieval Mediterranean. It analyse... more The article delves into galleys as omnipresent warships in the medieval Mediterranean. It analyses their performance, propulsion, sailing mode, and behavior on choppy seas. The paper elaborates on the craft's freeboard, wintering, and provisioning. The concluding chapter sums up the storyline.
Even a landlubber, casting an eye on a bustling harbor, could easily discern two watercraft brand... more Even a landlubber, casting an eye on a bustling harbor, could easily discern two watercraft brands traversing the inlet: light and sleek galleys propelled by oars against tubby and clumsy sailing ships driven by the whims of winds and waves. These breeds, hoving into view in numerous ports along the shores of the medieval Mediterranean, epitomized the ubiquitous compromise between speed, capacity, activity range, and seaworthiness. Grazioso Benincasa. Detail from a 1482 nautical chart depicting a galley and a Portuguese caravel https://www.meisterdrucke.ie/fine-art-prints/Grazioso-Benincasa/1101817/ Galley-and-Portuguese-caravel,-detail-from-the-Nautical-chart-of-the-Mediterranean.html
"The Enchanting Encounter with the east", Chapter 29, 2022
This is the last chapter of my book about Latin academics' slow familiarity with the sights and s... more This is the last chapter of my book about Latin academics' slow familiarity with the sights and sounds of the Far East during the Late Middle Ages. The paper focuses on the travels and mission of John of Montecorvino, a papal legate to the court of Kublai Khan. The Bottom Line section summarizes the main ideas of Unit VI of my research.
"The Enchanting Encounter with the East", chapter 28, 2022
The paper describes a French friar's journey to the Mongol Great Khan court in the mid-thirteenth... more The paper describes a French friar's journey to the Mongol Great Khan court in the mid-thirteenth century. William describes a surrealistic picture as if he visited an alien planet. His interest in geography and ethnography makes his account a valuable source of information.
"The Enchanting Encounter with the East", Chapter 27, 2022
The paper follows the traces of one of the first European medieval travelers to the Far East. The... more The paper follows the traces of one of the first European medieval travelers to the Far East. The Franciscan monk returned, having endured painful hardships, to tell a fascinating story about the Mongols' habits and mores. He also provided food for thought for the imminent threat of a military assault against Western Europe and advocated for European mutual security. Tags: John of Plano Carpini, Pope Innocent, Great Khan Guyuk
"The Enchanting Encounter with the East", Chapter 27, 2022
The paper follows the traces of one of the first European medieval travelers to the Far East. The... more The paper follows the traces of one of the first European medieval travelers to the Far East. The Franciscan monk returned, having endured painful hardships, to tell a fascinating story about the Mongols' habits and mores. He also provided food for thought for the imminent threat of a military assault against Western Europe and advocated for European mutual security.
Tags: John of Plano Carpini, Pope Innocent, Great Khan Guyuk
"The Enchanting Encounter with the East", chapter 26
The paper outlines the Catholic spiritual "crusade" executed by a bunch of Latin monks who, under... more The paper outlines the Catholic spiritual "crusade" executed by a bunch of Latin monks who, under the orders of the Apostolic See, had reached the rim of the then-known inhabited world. The author cited the hardships of the journey and the psychological shock of encountering offensive cultural norms. Their reports penned after the safe return became the valuable legacy of European courts and the papal curia.
Tags: John of Plano Carpini, Marco Polo, Benedict the Pole, John of Marignolli, Odoric of Pordenone, Andrew of Perugia, John of Montecorvino, Jordan of Severac (Cataslani), Francesco Pegolotti.
The Enchanting Encounter with the East, 2022
The paper completes Prester John's saga. The echo of the power strife on the steppes reaches West... more The paper completes Prester John's saga. The echo of the power strife on the steppes reaches West European intellectuals, who remake it in the contest between the overwhelming Christian overlord and a budding pagan rival. The underdog wins this geopolitical game to become the ruler of Asia while his adversary demises. I also added the Bottom Line and the Notes to the whole unit.
Tags: Kara Khitai Khanate, Prester John, Chinggis Khan, Wang Khan
The article elaborates on the development of East Roman warships. It traces the formation of nava... more The article elaborates on the development of East Roman warships. It traces the formation of naval tactics and technological breakthroughs responsible for constructing formidable fleets.
Keywords: dromon, full deck, skeleton-first, lateen sail
The Little Age of Discovery (14th century) starts with the controversial uncovering of the Canary... more The Little Age of Discovery (14th century) starts with the controversial uncovering of the Canary Islands. Without delay, the curia laid claims to dominion over the new enclave. However, the kings of Portugal and Castile had second thoughts about the sovereignty. The author refers to the portolan charts and travelogues of the trecento to prove the cautious expansion and dissemination of the geographic lore.
Tags: Canaries, Vivaldi brothers, Angelino Dulceti, Lanceloto Malocello, Luis de la Cerda, King Afonso IV of Portugal, Francesco Petrarca, Giovanni Boccaccio, Libro de conocimiento
The Enchanting Encounter with the East, 2022
My second book deals with intercultural links between the representatives of the Latin West and t... more My second book deals with intercultural links between the representatives of the Latin West and the Far East during the Late Middle Ages.
"Dawn and Sunset: A Tale of the Oldest Cities in the Near East", 2015
I present the title of my first book, with a short description and the author's bio.