History of the Byzantine Empire: Vol. 1, 324-1453 [Paperback]

Alexander A. Vasiliev (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0299809250 | ISBN-13: 978-0299809256 | Publication Date: April 15, 1958 | Edition: 2

“This is the revised English translation from the original work in Russian of the history of the Great Byzantine Empire.  It is the most complete and thorough work on this subject.  From it we get a wonderful panorama of the events and developments of the struggles of early Christianity, both western and eastern, with all of its remains of the wonderful productions of art, architecture, and learning.”—Southwestern Journal of Theology

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Vasiliev’s survey of Byzantine history is unique in the field.  It is complete, including a sketch of literature and art for each period, while all other works of the kind, even the most recent, either are restricted to a shorter time, or neglect some side of eastern civilization. . . . This widely known and highly prized History of the Byzantine Empire needs not the commendation of any reviewer.  Written originally in Russian, it has been turned into English, French, Spanish, and Turkish.  It has always been a favorite with students.”—The Catholic Historical Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 382 pages
• Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press; 2 edition (April 15, 1958)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0299809250
• ISBN-13: 978-0299809256
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #755,533 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic 20th-century reference work on Byzantium., July 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: History of the Byzantine Empire: Vol. 1, 324-1453 (Paperback)

Along with "History of the Byzantine State" by George Ostrogorsky (which I have also reviewed for Amazon.com), Alexander A. Vasiliev's two-volume "History of the Byzantine Empire" has distinguished itself as an oft-referenced work on the late-classical/medieval Romans (or "Byzantines" as more conventionally known). First published in 1928 and 1929 (volumes 1 and 2, respectively) as part of the "University of Wisconsin Studies in the Social Sciences and History" series, Vasiliev's classic resembles Ostrogorsky in its narrative and its preface which profiles Byzantine historical research since the 16th century. However, Vasiliev does not limit himself to a political and military history of Byzantium as Ostrogorsky does; he provides within his narration an abundant amount of valuable commentary on the work of other Byzantinists as well as a history of artistic, architectural, and literary accomplishments. Where opinions differ among historians as to the significance (or even veracity) of a specific event, Vasiliev presents these different opinions and his own for good measure. Now, if the reader is interested in pictures or maps, look elsewhere, for "History of the Byzantine Empire" includes neither. It does, however, include an outstanding bibliography and genealogical tables of Byzantine dynasties from Constantine the Great to the Paleologi (not to mention the standard list of Byzantine emperors).

One point Vasiliev made very clear at the beginning of the book was that the "Byzantine" Empire maintained Roman government and civilization long after the loss of the western provinces to barbarian peoples during the fifth century A.D. He strongly reminds the reader that, following the death of Theodosius I in A.D. 395, the final partition of the Roman Empire into eastern and western sectors did NOT create separate Eastern and Western empires; the Imperium Romanum remained one whose government was shared by two emperors out of necessity. In addition, while the reign of Constantine the Great is generally regarded by most historians as the beginning of the "Byzantine" period of Roman history, Vasiliev points out that the administrative reforms under Constantine's predecessor Diocletian paved the way for an eventual Roman Empire centered in the East (if I am not mistaken, Ostrogorsky makes this point as well). Perhaps the one noticeable weakness of "History of the Byzantine Empire" is that its second edition was published almost 50 years ago, so it is likely certain information is dated by now. That, we must admit, does not take away the book's honored position as a classic of 20th-century Byzantine historiography.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic reference on Byzantine history, March 31, 2006

By 

Florentius (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: History of the Byzantine Empire: Vol. 1, 324-1453 (Paperback)

This two volume set is a well-written, succinct, scholarly, and engaging history of the Byzantine Empire from the time of Constantine right up through the final conquest of Constantinople in AD 1453. I was assigned both volumes as a text in a Byzantine History class in college and I must give Vasiliev at least partial credit for awakening in me an intense interest in all things Byzantine. As one of the top Byzantine scholars of the 20th century, Vasiliev wrote with a command of the facts and theories that was a match for any of the scholars of his day. Indeed, his knowledge base tended to be wider than most Western scholars due to his access to sources in Russian and Slavonic that were often unavailable or unutilized outside of Russia.

Though originally published in 1958, this set remains a benchmark. Vasiliev retains a scholarly objectivity throughout the work, with perhaps only a slight trace of bias in favor of the Slavs. This is in stark contrast to many of the more recent treatments of Byzantine history which have an annoying tendency to impose marxist, relativistic judgments on the Byzantines while just as often exculpating their Islamic antagonists. Vasiliev does none of this. His passionate interest in his subject matter is also very obvious.

Overall, even after nearly 50 years, there is no work currently on the market which is better suited as a core text for a course in Byzantine history. The set would also make a fine supplement to a general course on Medieval European history.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Born to the Purple...", January 25, 2004

By 

"acominatus" (Johnson City, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: History of the Byzantine Empire: Vol. 1, 324-1453 (Paperback)

This 2 volume -History of the Byzantine Empire- is
the best detailed, readable, and multi-faceted
presentation that one is likely to find. The
periods in each chapter are well-focused, annotated
with scholarly notes, and divided into segments
with very helpful subtitles. The first volume of
the set (ISBN: 0299809250), after Chap. 1 which
is titled "The Study of Byzantine History," proceeds
with Chap. 2, "The Empire from the Time of Constantine
the Great to Justinian"; Chap. 3 is "Justinian the
Great and His Successors (518-610)"; Chap. 4, "The
Heraclian Epoch (610-717)"; Chap. 5, "The Iconoclastic
Epoch (717-867)"; and Chap. 6, "The Macedonian Epoch
(667-1081)."
Volume 2 (ISBN: 0299809269)has Chap. 7, "Byzantium
and the Crusades"; Chap. 8, The Empire of Nicaea
(1204-1261)"; and Chap. 9, "The Fall of Byzantium."
There is also an Appendix with an "Emperors of the
Byzantine Empire" chronology and "Genealogical Tables
of the Byzantine Dynasties."
As the concluding section of each of the historical
chapters, there is an excellent section on the
"Learning, Literature, and Art" during that particular
era. All of the famous and secondary figures of Byzantine
History can be found in this useful set. Here is an
excerpt from the "Literature..." section of Chapter 1,
Vol. 1 -- "Another extremely interesting figure of this
epoch is the woman philosopher, Hypatia, who was killed
by the fanatical mob of Alexandria some time in the early
part of the fifth century. She was a woman of exceptional
beauty and unusual intellectual attainments. Through her
father, a famous Alexandrian mathematician, she became
acquainted with the mathematical sciences and classical
philosophy. She gained wide fame through her remarkable
activities as a teacher. * * * One source told how,
'clothed in a mantle, she used to wander about the city
[of Alexandria, Egypt] and expound to willing listeners
the works of Plato, Aristotle, or some other philosopher.'"
One of my favorite people discussed at length in the
work is Michael Acominatus, the very Idealistic lover
of Hellenic culture, who was appointed Archbishop to
Athens and served for a period of 30 years.
-- Robert Kilgore