Synopses & Reviews
Between 285 AD, when Byzantium first separated from the Western Roman Empire, and 1461, when the last Byzantine splinter state disappeared, the Byzantine state and society underwent many crises, triumphs, declines, and recoveries. Spanning twelve centuries and three continents, the Byzantine empire linked the ancient and modern worlds, shaping and transmitting Greek, Roman, and Christian traditions--including the Greek classics, Roman law, and Christian theology--that remain vigorous today, not only in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, but throughout western civilization. This book examines the causes behind Byzantium's successes, failures, and remarkable longevity. The author explains the paradoxes of Byzantium's long history by showing how Byzantine political leadership, military strategy, cultural attitudes, and social, institutional, and demographic changes combined with the strengths and weaknesses of the empire's enemies. Both a history and an adventure story,
A Concise History of Byzantium will inform, entertain, and delight readers.
Review
"This is an excellent general history of a still under appreciated people and of their contributions to the modern world."
--Booklist
Synopsis
This short and accessible history, primarily aimed at those unfamiliar with the subject, traces the development of Byzantium from AD 285 until its fall in 1453. Treadgold demonstrates that Byzantium's remarkable cycle of decline and recovery was largely due to the character of individual emperors and inherent weaknesses in the empire's structure. Each narrative chapter concludes with discussions of Byzantium's society and culture during six distinctive chronological periods.
Synopsis
Between AD 285, when Byzantium first separated from the Western Roman Empire, and 1461, when the last Byzantine splinter state disappeared, the Byzantine state and society underwent many crises, triumphs, declines and recoveries. Spanning twelve centuries and three continents, the Byzantine empire linked the ancient and modern worlds, shaping and transmitting Greek, Roman, and Christian traditions—including the Greek classics, Roman law, and Christian theology—that remain vigorous today, not only in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, but throughout western civilization.
Synopsis
A remarkable history of the Byzantine empire--the civilization that linked the ancient world to the modern
About the Author
Warren Treadgold is Professor of Late Ancient and Byzantine History at St. Louis University. He is the author of many books on Byzantine history and culture.
Table of Contents
The Formation of Byzantium, 285-457 * Conquest and Crisis, 457-602 * Catastrophe and Containment, 602-780 * Recovery and Reconquest, 780-1025 * Wealth and Weakness, 1025-1204 * Restoration and Fall, 1204-1461 * List of Emperors and Patriarchs of Constantinople