The Visigoths in the Time of Ulfila [Paperback]

E. A. Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 22, 2009

Ulfila was a fourth-century Christian bishop and missionary who first brought Christianity to the Visigoths. He is credited with having created the Gothic alphabet, and he wrote the earliest translation of the Bible into a Germanic language. In this classic and still valuable short study of early Christianity among the Goths, E.A. Thompson first describes the background to the Visigoths' conversion from paganism, discussing their material culture, relations with the Roman Empire, social organization and religion. He then goes on to describe the conversion and its aftermath and to assess Ulfila's achievement in the earliest history of Christianity among the Germanic people.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'"The Visigoths in the Time of Ulfila" remains one of the best books ever written on the history of any barbarian group of the Roman era. The present edition will allow a new generation of readers to discover as much for themselves.' Michael Kulikowski

About the Author

E. A. Thompson was the author of, among other works, The Early Germans (1965), The Goths in Spain (1969), Romans and Barbarians (1982) and Saint Germanus of Auxerre and the End of Roman Britain (1984).

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Duckworth Publishing; 2nd Ed edition (January 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0715637002
• ISBN-13: 978-0715637005
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,455,628 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A welcome addition to religious studies shelves, February 9, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Visigoths in the Time of Ulfila (Paperback)

Now in a second edition featuring a new foreword with additional bibliography information by Michael Kulikowski and an additional appendix, "The Life of St. Saba", translated and annotated by John Matthews, The Visigoths in the Time of Ulfila is a classic study of the earliest history of Christianity among Germanic people. Examining the era of Ulfila, who was a fourth-century Christian bishop and missionary credited with being the first to deliver Christianity to the Goths, creating the Gothic alphabet, and writing the earliest translation of the Bible in a Germanic language. A scholarly text scrutinizing the evolution of religious history, The Visigoths in the Time of Ulfila is a welcome addition to religious studies shelves and a "must-have" for college library collections.