, Research Paper
Disturbing Precedents Seen propensity to passive resistance from leaders
of centres in Palestine, Syria, Byzantine, Mesopotamia in face Muslim
invasions ? security walled towns.
Syrian and Mesopotamian inclination to avoid violent resistance not
unique- part of normal pattern throughout late Roman Empire. No arms allowed anyway – deters resistance. Private defending of walls ? not privatisation but
Byzantine government trying to stop bearing of arms Heraclius no longer afford to maintain the large
number of garrisons ? except maybe on Mesopotamian borders with Persia Religious reasons protections Palestine ? prestige
of government ability to defend faith and land