the effect of the word order

[ahmadhussain]

The sentence below is from a reading text. I would like to know the effect of the word order in (Then began a battle with his conscience). Why is the verb before the subject?

Thanks to all!

[besthost]

Maybe because it's a literary style. Authors often use inversions like this to avoid dullness or put emphasis on plot changes.


not a teacher (per se)