isaurians

Updated: June 23, 2025

The Isaurians, however, were under the command of Longinus and Stephanacius. Arethas also came there to join them with the Saracen army. When they reached the city of Chalcis, they encamped and remained there, since they learned that the enemy were in a place called Gabboulon, one hundred and ten stades away from Chalcis.

Procopius - History of the Wars, Books I and II : The Persian War

He attacked the Isaurians in their mountains, besieged and took several of their strongest castles, and flattered himself that he had forever suppressed a domestic foe, whose independence so deeply wounded the majesty of the empire.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 1

The siege of Rome would perhaps have been raised, if the liberality of Totila to the Isaurians had not encouraged some of their venal countrymen to copy the example of treason. In a dark night, while the Gothic trumpets sounded on another side, they silently opened the gate of St.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 4

Among these was Ascan who, after killing many of the notables among the Persians, was gradually hacked to pieces and finally fell, leaving to the enemy abundant reason to remember him. And with him eight hundred others perished after shewing themselves brave men in this struggle, and almost all the Isaurians fell with their leaders, without even daring to lift their weapons against the enemy.

Procopius - History of the Wars, Books I and II : The Persian War

Constantine flew for refuge to his paternal mountains; but he descended at the head of the bold and affectionate Isaurians; and his final victory confounded the arms and predictions of the fanatics.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 5

A movement was next made against the Isaurians, who in the north-west corner of the Rough Cilicia, on the northern slope of Mount Taurus, inhabited a labyrinth of steep mountain ridges, jagged rocks, and deeply-cut valleys, covered with magnificent oak forests a region which is even at the present day filled with reminiscences of the old robber times.

Theodor Mommsen - The History of Rome (Volumes 1-5)

The impunity of rapine had increased the boldness and numbers of the wild Isaurians: those robbers descended from their craggy mountains to ravage the adjacent country, and had even presumed, though without success, to besiege the important city of Seleucia, which was defended by a garrison of three Roman legions.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 2

Belisarius fancied that Portus, his base of operations, with all his supplies, and Antonia, the worthless wife on whom he doted, were gone. He lost his head, was beaten terribly, fell back on Ostia, and then the end came. Isaurians from within helped in Goths by night. The Asinarian gate was opened, and Rome was in the hands of the Goths. And what was left?

Charles Kingsley - The Roman and the Teuton : A Series of Lectures delivered before the University of Cambridge

They dared to speak of the Goths as barbarians these Herules, Isaurians, Huns, Armenians, and Teutons! of the Goths, whose pride it had so long been to defend Roman civilisation, and even to restore the Roman edifices. What commander among them could compare with Totila, brave, just, generous?

George Gissing - Veranilda

But no sooner was the vigilance of power relaxed or diverted, than the light-armed squadrons descended from the hills, and invaded the peaceful plenty of Asia. Although the Isaurians were not remarkable for stature or bravery, want rendered them bold, and experience made them skilful in the exercise of predatory war.

Edward Gibbon - History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 4