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A History of Byzantium (Blackwell History of the Ancient World) 1st Edition

by Timothy E. Gregory (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 14 ratings
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This book is a concise narrative of Byzantine history from the time of Constantine the Great (AD 306) to the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

  • Argues that Byzantium was important in its own right but also served as a bridge between East and West and ancient and modern society.
  • Uses the chronological political history of the empire as a narrative frame.
  • Considers social and economic life and the rich culture of the Byzantine Empire.
  • Integrates visual documents, such as photographs of art, architecture, and implements from daily life.
  • Makes the latest scholarship accessible to a wide audience.
  • Includes a chronological list of emperors, a glossary and maps.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0631235132
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0631235132
  3. Edition
    1st
  4. Publisher
    John Wiley & Sons
  5. Publication date
    February 18, 2005
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    6.68 x 0.91 x 9.56 inches
  8. Print length
    400 pages
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This book is a concise narrative of Byzantine history from the time of Constantine the Great in AD 306 to the fall of Constantinople in 1453. The author presents Byzantium as a vital society, important in its own right, but also one that served as a bridge between East and West, and ancient and modern society.


A History of Byzantium uses the chronological political history of the empire as a narrative frame, but balances politics with a consideration of social and economic life and the rich culture of Byzantium. Visual documents, such as photographs of art, architecture, and implements from daily life, are used alongside the text to raise questions about life in the Byzantine Empire. The book is based on the latest scholarship and discusses the major historiographical questions for each period. At the same time, it is written in clear, narrative prose, making this fascinating period accessible to a wide readership.

About the Author

Timothy E. Gregory is Professor of Byzantine History at Ohio State University where he is also Adjunct Professor of Anthropology. He is the author of Isthmia (1993), The Corinthia in the Roman Period (1993), and Vox Populi (1979) and editor of the textbook Exploring the European Past: Texts and Images (2002), among other publications. He also has considerable experience in online teaching. He has served on the editorial board of journals such as Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies and the American Journal of Archaeology. He has extensive archaeological fieldwork experience in Greece and Cyprus and is the director of the Ohio State University Excavations at Isthmia.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ John Wiley & Sons; 1st edition (February 18, 2005)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0631235132
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0631235132
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.75 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.68 x 0.91 x 9.56 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 14 ratings

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Timothy E. Gregory

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
14 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

dustin
5.0 out of 5 stars College book
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2017
Verified Purchase
College book pick by college professor I had to get.
One person found this helpful
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Tracee
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Textbook on Byzantium
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2009
I agree that it's not a casual read, but this book is excellent for anyone interested in learning a comprehensive chronology of the Byzantine Empire. Professor Gregory is a well-known archeologist/historian from Ohio State University, and this book showcases his expertise on the subject. The reading is well-balanced between listing every important name, date, and place while still telling the Byzantine story in a fast paced way that keeps your interest- over a thousand years in 400 pages. For those interested in historiography, this book also includes many relevant primary sources from the era's religious and political figures.
The book makes a admirable attempt at answering the questions that plague this field of study. What was the nature of Constantine's conversion? Why were the Arabs able to swiftly conquer the eastern parts of the empire in the seventh century? Was Byzantium a part of Western Civilization? In what ways did the empire reflect the Greek, Christian, Roman, and Islamic influences that it came into contact with?
11 people found this helpful
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Kevin
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2016
Verified Purchase
A very thorough study of Byzantine history.
One person found this helpful
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byz
5.0 out of 5 stars An examplary history of Byzantium
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2007
This book will serve to show to the wider public what a high level Byzantine Studies have finally reached. They have gone a long way from Gibbon's polemics (informed more by prejudice than facts and sound analysis) to become the highly sophisticated and interesting subject Timothy Gregory showcases in this book.

The book covers the period from 306 to 1453. It is interesting to note that Gregory sets the formal beginning of the Byzantine period at 306 rather than any of the more usual later dates. This allows for a better examination of the context within which Byzantium developed. On the other hand, Early Byzantine Period is here defined to be the period between 306-717, which is longer than that considered by other historians who often divide it into shorter periods. This is not just a technical point. It has to do with the controversial issue of the way the character of the Empire gradualy evolved (antique, Christian, "Byzantine" etc.). Allowing such a long time span for the Early Period acknowledges the complex nature of this evolution.

The first turning point in the history of Byzantium, namely the migrations of the 7th-8th centuries, is treated in an examplary fashion in the book, once again showing the maturity the subject has reached. Frequently exploited for political reasons in the Modern Era by an amazing variety of agents (including even the Communists during the Cold War!), this matter has been until recently presented in the most sensational and emotional way. Gregory though gives a dispassionate and rational account with more emphasis on cultural rather than less relevant ethnic issues. The conclusions of his approach will no doubt disappoint those who expect evidence of apocalyptic events and discontinuities which simply is not there.

The second turning point (the sack of Constantinople in 1204) is also presented in a rational and impartial manner. Without being unduly apologetic on behalf of the West, the book examines the serious consequences this event has had for the future of the Empire, including the acceleration of the tendencies towards its transformation into something like a Greek "nation-state".

I warmly recommend this book to everyone interested in Byzantium, Rome or simply European History!
29 people found this helpful
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BJS
5.0 out of 5 stars Erudite
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2010
Certainly a well-researched and well-written book that is meant for someone interested in in depth information. Casual readers may want to choose a different book.
If you're looking for something purely entertaining about early Byzantium you may try  The Secret History of the Court of Justinian .
2 people found this helpful
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PermaFrost
5.0 out of 5 stars An Overall Beautiful Book
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2007
A well written, professional and easy to understand book about the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire AKA Empire Of The Greeks). Great Author, Great Book, easily one of the better written and informative books on the topic.
10 people found this helpful
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Matthew Cunningham
2.0 out of 5 stars Too intense
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2008
Too full of names and numbers to be useful to the casual reader interessted in Byzantium. It certainly is thourough, more appropriate as class room material.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Anthony Sakellis
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 21, 2018
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as described
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