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Warren T. Treadgold
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A History of the Byzantine State and Society Paperback – October 1, 1997

by Warren Treadgold (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 76 ratings
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This is the first comprehensive and up-to-date history of Byzantium to appear in almost sixty years, and the first ever to cover both the Byzantine state and Byzantine society. It begins in A.D. 285, when the emperor Diocletian separated what became Byzantium from the western Roman Empire, and ends in 1461, when the last Byzantine outposts fell to the Ottoman Turks.

Spanning twelve centuries and three continents, the Byzantine Empire linked the ancient and modern worlds, shaping and transmitting Greek, Roman, and Christian traditions―including the Greek classics, Roman law, and Christian theology―that remain vigorous today, not only in Eastern Europe and the Middle East but throughout Western civilization. Though in its politics Byzantium often resembled a third-world dictatorship, it has never yet been matched in maintaining a single state for so long, over a wide area inhabited by heterogeneous peoples.

Drawing on a wealth of original sources and modern works, the author treats political and social developments as a single vivid story, told partly in detailed narrative and partly in essays that clarify long-term changes. He avoids stereotypes and rejects such old and new historical orthodoxies as the persistent weakness of the Byzantine economy and the pervasive importance of holy men in Late Antiquity.

Without neglecting underlying social, cultural, and economic trends, the author shows the often crucial impact of nearly a hundred Byzantine emperors and empresses. What the emperor or empress did, or did not do, could rapidly confront ordinary Byzantines with economic ruin, new religious doctrines, or conquest by a foreign power. Much attention is paid to the complex life of the court and bureaucracy that has given us the adjective "byzantine." The major personalities include such famous names as Constantine, Justinian, Theodora, and Heraclius, along with lesser-known figures like Constans II, Irene, Basil II the Bulgar-Slayer, and Michael VIII Palaeologus.

Byzantine civilization emerges as durable, creative, and realistic, overcoming repeated setbacks to remain prosperous almost to the end. With 221 illustrations and 18 maps that complement the text, A History of the Byzantine State and Society should long remain the standard history of Byzantium not just for students and scholars but for all readers.

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  1. Print length
    1044 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Stanford University Press
  4. Publication date
    October 1, 1997
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 2.2 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0804726302
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0804726306
  8. See all details
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4.4 out of 5 stars
76 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides valuable information and perspective on political, cultural, and religious history. They describe it as a well-organized, interesting read with striking epigrams and quantitative analyses. However, opinions vary on the writing style - some find it clear and straightforward, while others mention confusing or run-on sentences.

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Encyclopedia contentPacingQuantitative analysisWriting style
7 customers mention "Encyclopedia content"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's content informative and valuable. It provides narratives on societal trends, religion, and the economy. Readers describe it as an excellent reference work for Byzantine historians of all levels. They mention that it provides a thorough introduction to the period and is an expert on Anatolian geography.

"...It flows well and has a good pace. The cultural side is downplayed relative to the political side, so folks who like a good story about the rise and..." Read more

"...I have to admit that Treadgold nearly manages to be an expert on Anatolian geography which became the heart of everything in Roman Empire starting..." Read more

"...history of the Empire, Treadgold's book provides many welcome narratives on societal trends, religion, and the economy, thus making this work one of..." Read more

"...The book provides the necessary economic, political, and societal, (to include personalities), backgrounds critical to understanding the struggle..." Read more

6 customers mention "Pacing"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's pacing good. They appreciate the well-organized text with interesting maps and pictures. The history includes glorious conquests, devastating defeats, and ambushes. Readers describe the book as an excellent introduction to the Byzantines, with added character and personality.

"...Byzantine history has everything: glorious conquests, disastrous defeats, ambushes, mutilations, constant scheming, religious riots, Bulgar-slayers,..." Read more

"This study definitely deserves to be called ''magnum opus''...." Read more

"...of the Byzantine State and Society is a well-organized and interesting text notable for being one of the first modern Byzantine histories to attempt..." Read more

"...Byzantium, with all the same information, but with the added richness of character, all the richness of personality, intrigue, sweep, daily life,..." Read more

4 customers mention "Quantitative analysis"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's quantitative analysis. They find it comprehensive and detailed, with a convenient organization of political topics.

"...It is comprehensive but not overwhelming. It flows well and has a good pace...." Read more

"...writing, a series of good maps, interesting pictures, and several quantitative analyses, make Treadgold's book a highly valuable reference work for..." Read more

"The best overview and detailed analysis to date. A+" Read more

"A masterly survey, with the virtue of Convenient arrangement of political and some cultural and religious history...." Read more

6 customers mention "Writing style"4 positive2 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style. Some find it clear and straightforward, making it readable and an excellent volume written by an expert in the field. Others mention confusing or run-on sentences that can only be clarified after reading the book again. The editing lacks mid-sentence punctuation, especially commas, which can make the text difficult to follow.

"...It is readable without trying too hard to amuse (a la Norwich)...." Read more

"...First, while the writing style is generally clear and straightforward, for some reason the author or the editor chose to seriously neglect the use..." Read more

"An excellent volume written by an acknowledged expert in the field...." Read more

"A readable and necessary book..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Douglas H. Walker
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and Thorough Introduction to the Byzantine's
    Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    This book is an excellent work that gets it right in so many ways. It is readable without trying too hard to amuse (a la Norwich). It focuses with appropriate balance on religious, political, economic, and cultural topics. It is comprehensive but not overwhelming. It flows well and has a good pace. The cultural side is downplayed relative to the political side, so folks who like a good story about the rise and fall of an empire will like this book. Byzantine history has everything: glorious conquests, disastrous defeats, ambushes, mutilations, constant scheming, religious riots, Bulgar-slayers, and eunuchs. Altogether the East Roman (Byzantine) Empire was crucial to world history and deserves more attention than it often receives. I would recommend this book primarily to educated readers who enjoy history, especially Roman, medieval, or middle-eastern history. Complete amateurs should probably pick up Nowrwich's books. Personally, I had trouble putting this book down.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Arda
    5.0 out of 5 stars multiple lenses
    Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This study definitely deserves to be called ''magnum opus''. As a Turkish citizen myself, I have to admit that Treadgold nearly manages to be an expert on Anatolian geography which became the heart of everything in Roman Empire starting with the reign of Diocletian.
    This is the only book in the market that surpassed Ostrogorsky's relic and easily claims its place in top five by digging the different aspects from military operations to court intrigues. In short, we witness how the imperial administration was maintained
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Ambarenya
    4.0 out of 5 stars Apart from a few small gripes, this is "a book that every Byzantinist should own"
    Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Treadgold's hefty tome titled A History of the Byzantine State and Society is a well-organized and interesting text notable for being one of the first modern Byzantine histories to attempt to quantify the Byzantine Imperial budget, military organization, and population at various points in its history. Deviating from traditional Byzantine history books which focus almost exclusively on the political and military history of the Empire, Treadgold's book provides many welcome narratives on societal trends, religion, and the economy, thus making this work one of the most well-rounded Byzantine historical texts available. This, in addition to concise and straightforward writing, a series of good maps, interesting pictures, and several quantitative analyses, make Treadgold's book a highly valuable reference work for Byzantinists of all levels. I feel that any self-respecting Byzantine library should have a copy of this book.

    However, for all of the things that it does right, Treadgold's work does have a few flaws. First, while the writing style is generally clear and straightforward, for some reason the author or the editor chose to seriously neglect the use of mid-sentence punctuation, especially commas. This can sometimes lead to confusing or seemingly run-on sentences that can only be clarified after a couple of read-throughs. I found myself often stopping, mid-paragraph, to try and understand what he was trying to say. I would hope that a newer edition would correct this issue, because it's a small detail that could go a long way in improving the readability of the work. I would remove half a star for this.

    Second, Treadgold's treatment of the Komnenian period I find to be lackluster at best. Strangely, he seems to dismiss Byzantium under the Komnenos family as an extension of the decadent era following the death of Basil II (AD 1025 - 1081), whereas there is vast amounts of evidence to the contrary. Treadgold does hesitantly comment on the military success of John and Manuel (presenting it with a lukewarm tone), but he overwhelmingly fails to capitalize on a great deal of evidence that exists regarding the cultural and scientific revival that occurred during the era. I would actually go so far as to say that the Komnenian section is 'disappointing' because Treadgold's lack of praise for the Komnenos family seems completely at odds with the actual historical evidence that exists. This is enough for me to dock half a star.

    While I would not dock points for this, I also find Treadgold's tone of derision regarding John Julius Norwich and John Haldon in his introduction to be unprofessional and unwarranted. Norwich and Haldon (and especially Haldon) are both venerable scholars of Byzantine History. I don't think Treadgold's personal grudge against them belongs in such a wonderful scholarly work such as this.
    28 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent volume written by an acknowledged expert in the field
    Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    An excellent volume written by an acknowledged expert in the field. The book provides the necessary economic, political, and societal, (to include personalities), backgrounds critical to understanding the struggle between the last outpost of Rome and seemingly the rest of the world.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Doc
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Best
    Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The best overview and detailed analysis to date. A+
    2 people found this helpful
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  • James
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book came highly recommended to me by a professor of Classics
    Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This book came highly recommended to me by a professor of Classics, knowing my interest in all things Byzantium. Very thick and full of wonderful information and perspective
    3 people found this helpful
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  • EPITROPAKIS Periandros
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I was exactly what I waiting for!!!
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Top reviews from other countries

  • a
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read-every page is action packed.
    Reviewed in Canada on February 23, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    A truly fascinating book, gives meaning to the word Byzantine.
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  • Anthony
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent though somewhat hardgoing pice of historical scholarshiip. Worrk of a lifetime
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  • Acerbic
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great book on the Eastern Roman Empire
    Reviewed in Canada on November 28, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a lengthy tome on the Eastern Roman Empire, or the Byzantine empire as it is largely known.
    The Eastern Roman empire (ERE), as the author prefers to call it, and he explains that Byzantium was a term coin later by English historians, was probably the only empire that lasted past a millennium.
    It supplanted the Western Roman empire and took on an orthodox character once Diocletian and subsequently Constantine relocated the seat to Constantinople, the present day Istanbul.
    The trials and tribulations of an empire are on full display for those who are interested in understanding the challenges that empires face, as distinct from those of smaller kingdoms or nation states.
    Take present day USA which is a de facto empire even if it does not call itself that. Its form of governance, the issues it faces are very analogous to those recounted in the history of the ERE.
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