A History of Byzantium (Blackwell History of the Ancient World) [Hardcover]

Timothy Gregory (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 14, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0631235124 | ISBN-13: 978-0631235125 | Edition: 1

This book is a concise narrative of Byzantine history from the time of Constantine the Great (AD 306) to the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

• Argues that Byzantium was important in its own right but also served as a bridge between East and West and ancient and modern society.
  
• Uses the chronological political history of the empire as a narrative frame.
  
• Considers social and economic life and the rich culture of the Byzantine Empire.
  
• Integrates visual documents, such as photographs of art, architecture, and implements from daily life.
  
• Makes the latest scholarship accessible to a wide audience.
  
• Includes a chronological list of emperors, a glossary and maps.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[I] recommend this book heartily as an extremely useful textbook of Byzantine history." (Ancient East and West, 2008)

Book Description

This book is a concise narrative of Byzantine history from the time of Constantine the Great (306 AD) to the fall of Constantinople in 1453. The book views Byzantium as a vital society, important in its own right, that also served as a bridge between East and West and ancient and modern society. The book uses the chronological political history of the empire as a narrative frame, but balances politics with a consideration of social and economic life and the rich culture of Byzantium. Visual documents such as photographs of art, architecture, and implements from daily life are used alongside the text to raise questions about life in the Byzantine Empire. The book is based on the latest scholarship and discusses the major historiographical questions for each period. At the same time, it is written in clear, narrative prose, making this fascinating period accessible to a wide readership.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (March 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631235124
• ISBN-13: 978-0631235125
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,355,186 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An examplary history of Byzantium, June 21, 2007

By 

byz (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A History of Byzantium (Blackwell History of the Ancient World) (Paperback)

This book will serve to show to the wider public what a high level Byzantine Studies have finally reached. They have gone a long way from Gibbon's polemics (informed more by prejudice than facts and sound analysis) to become the highly sophisticated and interesting subject Timothy Gregory showcases in this book.

The book covers the period from 306 to 1453. It is interesting to note that Gregory sets the formal beginning of the Byzantine period at 306 rather than any of the more usual later dates. This allows for a better examination of the context within which Byzantium developed. On the other hand, Early Byzantine Period is here defined to be the period between 306-717, which is longer than that considered by other historians who often divide it into shorter periods. This is not just a technical point. It has to do with the controversial issue of the way the character of the Empire gradualy evolved (antique, Christian, "Byzantine" etc.). Allowing such a long time span for the Early Period acknowledges the complex nature of this evolution.

The first turning point in the history of Byzantium, namely the migrations of the 7th-8th centuries, is treated in an examplary fashion in the book, once again showing the maturity the subject has reached. Frequently exploited for political reasons in the Modern Era by an amazing variety of agents (including even the Communists during the Cold War!), this matter has been until recently presented in the most sensational and emotional way. Gregory though gives a dispassionate and rational account with more emphasis on cultural rather than less relevant ethnic issues. The conclusions of his approach will no doubt disappoint those who expect evidence of apocalyptic events and discontinuities which simply is not there.

The second turning point (the sack of Constantinople in 1204) is also presented in a rational and impartial manner. Without being unduly apologetic on behalf of the West, the book examines the serious consequences this event has had for the future of the Empire, including the acceleration of the tendencies towards its transformation into something like a Greek "nation-state".

I warmly recommend this book to everyone interested in Byzantium, Rome or simply European History!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Textbook on Byzantium, January 22, 2009

By 

T. Huffman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A History of Byzantium (Blackwell History of the Ancient World) (Paperback)

I agree that it's not a casual read, but this book is excellent for anyone interested in learning a comprehensive chronology of the Byzantine Empire. Professor Gregory is a well-known archeologist/historian from Ohio State University, and this book showcases his expertise on the subject. The reading is well-balanced between listing every important name, date, and place while still telling the Byzantine story in a fast paced way that keeps your interest- over a thousand years in 400 pages. For those interested in historiography, this book also includes many relevant primary sources from the era's religious and political figures.
The book makes a admirable attempt at answering the questions that plague this field of study. What was the nature of Constantine's conversion? Why were the Arabs able to swiftly conquer the eastern parts of the empire in the seventh century? Was Byzantium a part of Western Civilization? In what ways did the empire reflect the Greek, Christian, Roman, and Islamic influences that it came into contact with?

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Overall Beautiful Book, October 18, 2007

By 

PermaFrost "PermaFrost" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A History of Byzantium (Blackwell History of the Ancient World) (Paperback)

A well written, professional and easy to understand book about the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire AKA Empire Of The Greeks). Great Author, Great Book, easily one of the better written and informative books on the topic.