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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jack7" data-source="post: 5019257" data-attributes="member: 54707">EG, if it's Western Medieval History, Warfare, etc. then it's probably Gall who you'll want to ask. He seems to know a lot in general regarding the West (and even some on Eastern Europe) and is awfully good at research. But others visit this thread on occasion and they often make really good comments as well. Now I know some technical issues involving the history of warfare and of Medieval life in general. In the West I mean. And about the development of the Church, Christianity, and religion. But my real specialty in this regard is the Byzantine Empire (the Eastern Romans), their manner of warfare, their interactions in their sphere of control, their government, culture, Orthodoxy, etc. I also know a good deal about the Eastern Roman encounters with the Persians (though typically much later than you're speaking about), and later with those Muslim regimes which conquered the Zoroastrians and the Persians. So if you have any questions in that regard I think I could probably help. My suggestion, generally speaking, is not to rely very heavily upon just internet sources. They are generally speaking (not in all cases, but generally speaking) not nearly as good as real historical, archaeological, and anthropological sources or as good as real history books. And if you're gonna look up real historical sources that are of value then I suggest that there are various internet libraries (including good international ones), as well as your own local library system (not really sure where you live, looked you up but it didn't say) that you could try (especially their research departments), and if you're in the US then try the Library of Congress. And of course university libraries.  You might find information on the ancient Persian dynasties somewhat limited (I used to encounter the same basic situation while researching the Byzantines, though this has changed for the better in the past few years) or you may have to really dig, but I'm sure you'll be able to turn over at least some really good sources. But as someone who is an amateur historian and archeologist all I can really say is that you can expect contradictory information form time to time, and form research era to research era. Due to new discoveries, theories, etc. Anywho, speaking once again in a general sense it is my impression that this is the single best thread on this site for research and I suggest wading back through this thread for various tid-bits of very useful information regarding warfare, Medieval life, government, religion, etc. I'll be happy to answer any specific questions about the things I said I tend to know about if you have any. As for me I know I've promised responses on the Warrior Monks of the Byzantines, and I'm still writing that up, because I need to provide some background material for it to make sense or be of much use. Plus I've had to attend a lot of funerals and wakes lately, people from my church, my uncle, people from my squadron, etc. So I'm gonna get to it as soon as possible.</blockquote>

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