Customer Reviews

Short History of Byzantium

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Mr. Norwich has provided a wonderful summary of his 3-volume history in this work. Byznaintium finally comes alive in all its splendor, intrigue, and humanity. The 3-volume set is still the definitive work on Byzantine history but this abridged version is a worthy substitute.

Not only is the Byzantine empire of interest to ancient historians but also to anyone interested in understanding the Eastern Orthodox traditions that shaped all of Eastern Europe even to today. In some respects, the Byzantines are still with us in that tradition - surviving against all odds.

There are few books that have impacted my life as much as Norwich's "A Short History of Byzantium". I found the audio book at my library and took it out only because I couldn't find anything that interested me more. However, I have never found anything that interested me as much as this book. As the author says in his introduction, there are many words that can be used to describe the Byzantines, but boring is not one of them! It is about a time and a place that Western history books have given short shrift to, and yet there are few other eras or civilizations that compare as well to the times that we are living through. The book and the world it describes are absolutely amazing. I would just say, don't pick up this book if you don't want to become totally obsessed with a civilization so far away in time and place as Byzantium, but still as close as yesterday in the problems it had to deal with.

I thoroughly enjoyed Norwich's work. I have gone back to reference this book several times in my subsequent reading. The book attempts to squash a whale in a sardine can and I think it succeeds. The book explains how and why the Eastern Roman Empire was created. It describes why the Eastern and Western empires were never able to truly reunite despite the external pressures to do so. Norwich goes through the history of each ruler of Byzantium including how he got there, what he achieved or lost, and how he met his end. The book describes Iconoclasm and briefly discusses other major theological controversies. The political backdrop and rivaling factions are explained. Norwich explains the interaction between the Crusades and Crusader States with Byzantium. Accomplishing all of this in one book is an amazing task.

The work does not delve deeply into many events or issues that you may want more information on, but it completes its objective of providing a concise history. If you are a new reader and you want in depth information on every topic during this 1000+ year span and are willing to dedicate the time, I would suggest getting the three volume work that this book is based on. Byzantium: The Early Centuries, Byzantium (II): The Apogee, Byzantium: The Decline and Fall.

Norwich has a smooth inviting style of writing that keeps the subject interesting. You will find yourself amazed that many emperors followed the same path to destruction. You will find yourself wondering if one event had happened differently the whole world we live in would be drastically different. This book will show you how important Byzantium was to the entire Western civilization, this empire that most people know nothing about. I recommend this book to anyone that has the slightest interest in the history of western civilization.

For those interested in history and video games, you may also enjoy Rome Total War: Barbarian Invasion Expansion Pack, where you can play as Byzantium.

When it comes to discussing Christian relics in Constantine the Great's time the author writes of these relics like they are authentic. These relics are just rumored to be the ones in the Bible. There's proof God exists like the "coincidence" of gravity, oxygen and a disproportionately huge moon in the sky. But don't give believed objects the benefit of the doubt of being real when you totally lack proof. Norwich should state it was just believed these objects were the ones used in the Bible.