Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West, 376 - 568 (Cambridge Medieval Textbooks) [Paperback]

Guy Halsall (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521435439 | ISBN-13: 978-0521435437 | Publication Date: February 18, 2008

This is a major new survey of the barbarian migrations and their role in the fall of the Roman Empire and the creation of early medieval Europe, one of the key events in European history. Unlike previous studies it integrates historical and archaeological evidence and discusses Britain, Ireland, mainland Europe and North Africa, demonstrating that the Roman Empire and its neighbours were inextricably linked. A narrative account of the turbulent fifth and early sixth centuries is followed by a description of society and politics during the migration period and an analysis of the mechanisms of settlement and the changes of identity. Guy Halsall reveals that the creation and maintenance of kingdoms and empires was impossible without the active involvement of people in the communities of Europe and North Africa. He concludes that, contrary to most opinions, the fall of the Roman Empire produced the barbarian migrations, not vice versa.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is important not only as a systematic statement of important current views on how the last Mediterranean empire of antiquity devolved into a series of recognisably European polities, but also for its impressive fusion of seemingly disparate archaeological and literary/historical materials. A genuinely important contribution to its field, by striving to be accessible to those outside its discipline, this book should contribute beneficially to wider discussions of historical change." -The English Historical Review

"...should be read by anyone interested in the early Middle Ages, the historical use of archaeological evidence, theories and practices of ethnicity, and, finally the Roman Empire and its ultimate collapse." -M.A. Claussen, Speculum

Book Description

This is a major new survey of the barbarian migrations in the west and their role in the creation of early medieval Europe. Drawing on a broad range of historical and archaeological sources, Guy Halsall outlines pre-migration society, the causes and mechanics of movement, and the process of settlement.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 616 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (February 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521435439
• ISBN-13: 978-0521435437
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #618,902 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best textbook overview of the subject available, January 27, 2009

By 

Lucius Verus "Geschichtsfan" (Hannover) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West, 376 - 568 (Cambridge Medieval Textbooks) (Paperback)

Guy Halsall's Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West is about the best book if you are looking for an overview of modern interpretations of the so called Migration Period. Despite the apparent regional limitation to the 'Roman West' the book also covers a lot of history relating to the 'Roman East' as well. It is a shame and unfair that the rating of this book was marred by a review how took issue with the price.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Synthesis, November 13, 2010

By 

Lori Reeser "Major Reader" (Sunnyvale, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West, 376 - 568 (Cambridge Medieval Textbooks) (Paperback)

A major addition to this growing field. Knowledge of the transition from the Roman world to the European world (from about 400AD to about 800AD, aka Late Antiquity, Early Medieval) has been growing rapidly. This knowledge is just now being synthesized and published.

This book is from the perspective of the movements of the non-Roman barbarians into what is now western Europe. The author emphasizes the fluidity of ethnic identification as well as the relatively low numbers of the invaders, while acknowledging the major impact they had on culture, society and politics.

I would recommend this book plus Framing the Early Middle Ages: Europe and the Mediterranean, 400-800 by Chris Wickham. In combination they give an excellent view of the changes that occurred, and the current ideas as to why. These are both upper undergraduate, early graduate level reading. I haven't read it yet, but The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbariansby Peter Heather is frequently cited by both authors (although mostly to respectfully disagree).

It helps if you have a basic understanding of the history of this time. The Civilization of the Middle Ages: A Completely Revised and Expanded Edition of Medieval History by Norman Cantor is a good start, although he(necessarily) does not go in depth. If you want to read a classic The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Gibbon is also a start. (It's where I started.)

3 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Barbarian Migrations, December 25, 2008

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audio_ut_fiam - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West, 376 - 568 (Cambridge Medieval Textbooks) (Paperback)

Read this book and incorporate it's views of the so-called migrations (formerly invasions) with other contemporary views of the early Middle Ages.