Concise History of Byzantium

This introductory text provides a concise overview of the history of Byzantium, from AD 285, when it first separated from the Western Roman Empire, to 1461, when the last Byzantine splinter state disappeared. Over the course of this period, the Byzantine state and society underwent many crises, triumphs, declines and recoveries. Spanning twelve centuries and three continents, the Byzantine empire linked the ancient and modern worlds, shaping and transmitting Greek, Roman and Christian traditions that remain vigorous today. This book examines the causes behind Byzantium's successes, failures and remarkable longevity. The author shows how Byzantine political leadership, military strategy, cultural attitudes and social, institutional and demographic changes combined with the strengths and weaknesses of the empire's enemies to explain the paradoxes of Byzantium's long history. This revised second edition has been updated throughout to incorporate new research, most notably on gender, iconoclasm and environmental history. It is an essential text for students taking courses on Byzantine history seeking an introductory overview to this broad and complex topic. New to this Edition: - Updated throughout to incorporate the new research to have come out since the new edition published - most notably on gender, iconoclasm and environmental history - More attention paid to primary sources - Improved maps and images - A new timeline

Review: This book is not only the obvious first choice for all who wish to be initiated in Byzantine history and civilization, but also a profitable read and a model of scholarship for novice and accomplished Byzantinists alike. * Sviatoslav Dmitriev, Ball State University, USA *
The great merit of this book is that it is exactly what it says it is in the title: concise. No other book on Byzantium manages to pack so much useful information into so few pages. * Jonathan Harris, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK *