The Oxford History of Byzantium

By Cyril Mango

Book Overview

The Oxford History of Byzantium is the only history to provide in concise form detailed coverage of Byzantium from its Roman beginnings to the fall of Constantinople and assimilation into the Turkish Empire. Lively essays and beautiful illustrations portray the emergence and development of a distinctive civilization, covering the period from the fourth century to the mid-fifteenth century. The authors - all working at the cutting edge of their particular fields - outline the political history of the Byzantine state and bring to life the evolution of a colourful culture.
In AD 324, the Emperor Constantine the Great chose Byzantion, an ancient Greek colony at the mouth of the Thracian Bosphorous, as his imperial residence. He renamed the place 'Constaninopolis nova Roma', 'Constantinople, the new Rome' and the city (modern Istanbul) became the Eastern capital of the later Roman empire. The new Rome outlived the old and Constantine's successors continued to regard themselves as the legitimate emperors of Rome, just as their subjects called themselves Romaioi, or Romans long after they had forgotten the Latin language. In the sixteenth century, Western humanists gave this eastern Roman empire ruled from Constantinople the epithet 'Byzantine'.
Against a backdrop of stories of emperors, intrigues, battles, and bishops, this Oxford History uncovers the hidden mechanisms - economic, social, and demographic - that underlay the history of events. The authors explore everyday life in cities and villages, manufacture and trade, machinery of government, the church as an instrument of state, minorities, education, literary activity, beliefs and superstitions, monasticism, iconoclasm, the rise of Islam, and the fusion with Western, or Latin, culture. Byzantium linked the ancient and modern worlds, shaping traditions and handing down to both Eastern and Western civilization a vibrant legacy.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0198140983
• ISBN13: 9780198140986
• Release Date: December 2002
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 2.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.3" x 9.8"

Customer Reviews

interesting

I have only started reading the book but is looks and reads great, if you are interested in this topic. I am an Orthodox Christian so it is right "up" my alley. The book was like new and was in BETTER shape than was advertised.

Probably the best single-volume introduction, in spite of some faults

In spite of Byzantium finally getting its fair share of attention among historians over the last century, good single-volume introductions to the empire are few. John Julian Norwich's [[ASIN: A Short History of Byzantium]], an abridgement of his massive popular work in three tomes, is one option. But I was happy to come across THE OXFORD HISTORY OF BYZANTIUM and would recommend this as a good introduction. Each chapter of the OXFORD HISTORY was written by a different scholar, adding some variety to the book and hinting at issues considered contentious among historians. The book is also lavishly illustrated, and being able to see the architectural, urban planning, or artistic achievements of Byzantium gives one a better idea of what made Byzantium special. But what really sets the OXFORD HISTORY apart from Norwich's book is that it isn't formed as a mere dry chronology of rulers. The chapters covering straight-up chronology are four: "The Eastern Empiere from Constantine to Heraclius (306-641)", "The Struggle for Survival (641-780)", "The Medieval Empire (780-1204)", and "Fragmentation (1204-1453)". In between these, there are chapters dedicated to literary achievements, the life of the average man, and other matters that Norwich didn't treat adequately. The book is not perfect. A number of authors here love pointlessly knocking Orthodox Christianity, curious when Orthodox readers form such a large market for Byzantium items. Also, there is no discussion of the life of women in the empire, which would be interesting to contemporary readers.

The Oxford History of Byzantium

An excellent introduction to the subject for non-specialists. Lucidly written covering all the main topics. Good bibliography for further in depth reading

Excellent

This is an excellent book that has already become almost a classic among the specialists. In a highly scientific manner it describes the most essential aspects of Byzantium avoiding the prejudices that have plagued the area for so long. All contributors are leading experts in the subject and have managed to incorprorate a substantial amount of current research in their articles.

Missing the point....

The other reviewers here seem to be missing the point. Oxford has a very large text covering this period in great detail...this book is not meant to cover everything in depth...that is the job of the other text. This book is designed to INTRODUCE readers to Byzantium, no go into great depth, hence its shortness. It is an OVERVIEW not a compilation of all of our knowledge of Byzantium. As an OVERVIEW it does an acceptable job at covering the materials. It has its shortcommings, but is an alright text.