The New Empire of Diocletian and Constantine [Hardcover]

Timothy D. Barnes (Author)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Timothy D. Barnes is Professor of Classics at the University of Toronto.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Harvard University Press (August 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674611268
• ISBN-13: 978-0674611269
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,026,929 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WARNING - A Research Resource Only, March 13, 2008

By 

David E. Blair (Columbia, PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The New Empire of Diocletian and Constantine (Hardcover)

This book is an orderly presentation of certain research resources standing behind Timothy D. Barnes' book, "Constantine and Eusebius." If one is deeply enmeshed in researching Roman imperial history circa 284 CE to 337 CE, this book will be invaluable. Also, this work will have reference value to any person doing graduate level work in this specific area. As a general reference to Roman history of the above described period, it is of limited use. This volume is currently available as an on demand hardcover reprint for two hundred and fifteen dollars. In the used market, it is a rare book and usually brings about one hundred dollars for a very good hardcover copy. In my opinion, few if any Amazon readers are likely to find a reason to purchase this work. However, it is available in the collections of most major university and seminary libraries. I would suggest that any interested reader seek it out from a library source.

With all the above caveats in mind, what does one find in these three hundred thirty six pages? Among other things, one finds the names of, as well as, information on the offices, family ties, and travels of the Roman imperial elite and administrative officials for the period in question. The book is divided into three substantive sections titled as follows: "Emperors," "Holders of Offices," and "The Administration of the Empire." Included as well are other explanatory materials consisting of indexes, a bibliography, various tables, and more. Chapter headings and chapter subdivisions within each section make the isolation of relevant material reasonably convenient. However, narrative explanations are quite limited. Expect list after list of data. Therefore, it is imperative that the reader have a good idea of exactly what they are seeking. Reading this material cover to cover would be a mind numbing experience. And yet, all in all, this is a remarkable resource covering a period of Roman imperial history which is very obviously significant and notoriously obscure.