Bibliograph

A short history of the Byzantine Empire, Dionysios Stathakopoulos

Type

Label

A short history of the Byzantine Empire, Dionysios Stathakopoulos

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 217-229) and index

Illustrations

illustrationsmaps

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

A short history of the Byzantine Empire

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

879001397

Responsibility statement

Dionysios Stathakopoulos

Series statement

I.B. Tauris short histories

Summary

The Byzantine Empire was one of the most impressive imperial adventures in history. It ruled much of Europe and Anatolia for a remarkable eleven hundred years. From Constantine I's establishment of Byzantium (renamed Constantinople) as his capital in 324 CE, until the fall of the city to the Ottomans in 1453, the Byzantine domain became a powerhouse of literature, art, theology, law and learning. Dionysios Stathakopoulos here tells a compelling story of military conquest, alliance and reversal, including the terrifying secret of Greek fire: of a state constantly at war, but not warlike, resorting wherever possible to a sophisticated diplomacy with its neighbours and enemies. Breaking with outdated notions of Byzantium as an unchanging, theocratic state, Stathakopoulos uses the most recent research to explore its political, economic, social and cultural history. He evokes the dynamism of a people whose story is one of astonishing resilience and adaptability; and whose legacy, whether it be the bronze horses of the Hippodrome, or the very term 'Byzantine', everywhere endures. His new short history embraces individuals like Justinian I, the powerful ruler who defeated the Ostrogoths in Italy and oversaw construction of Hagia Sofia (completed in 537); his notorious queen Theodora, a courtesan who rose improbably to the highest office of imperial first lady; the charismatic but cuckolded general Belisarios; and the religious leaders Arius and Athanasios, whose conflicting ideas about Christ and doctrine shook the Empire to its core. -- Provided by publisher

Table Of Contents

What is Byzantium -- Timeline -- Becoming the Eastern Roman Empire, 330-491 -- Masters of the Mediterrean, 491-602 -- Negotiating retraction, 602-717 -- From survival to revival, 717-867 -- Expansion and radiance, 867-1056 -- The appearance of strength, 1056-1204 -- The legacy of fragmentation, 1204-1341 -- Heading for the fall, 1341-1453 -- Aftermath and afterlife -- Peoples around Byzantium

resource.variantTitle

Byzantine Empire

Classification