The Oxford History of Byzantium Hardcover – 24 Oct. 2002

This really surpassed my expectations. It's a concise book and, on your first quick flick through, it'll be the (very beautiful) illustrations that will first catch your eye. In fact this could easily be mistaken for a trite TV tie-in, or maybe a text-heavy coffee table book for the smaller coffee table. Don't be deceived! The essays in this book together provide a really good, properly scholarly but also very approachable introduction to the history of the Eastern Roman Empire.The book's structure subdivides into four broadly chronological sections covering (i) Late Antiquity (ii) the dark and crisis-wracked years of the seventh and eighth centuries (iii) the empire's medieval revival and (iv) its rather ignominious post-1204 afterlife. Each section starts with a fairly quickfire 'who did what when' chapter to give the reader their bearings, and then subsequent chapters within each section dive a little deeper into the major themes of the era (eg Iconoclasm, monasticism, heresy, diplomacy etc). Each of these themed essays is written by a different specialist, with Cyril Mango probably contributing the best of the lot with his gripping account of the empire's changing cultural beliefs in the 4th to 6th centuries. It's a structure that succeeds brilliantly, layering successive insights and perspectives into a well-rounded and surprisingly rich overview of over 1000 years of Byzantine history.I'd recommend this to any undergraduate coming to Byzantine history for the first time, as the perfect warm-up before tackling George Ostrogorsky's magisterial History of the Byzantine State. More experienced readers will also purr with pleasure over the condensed, considered scholarship on display here - as well as over Professor Mango's waspish, donnish wit. It seems foolish to recommed a book about Byzantine history to the general reader - general readers don't as a rule tend to pick up books about Byzantine history, even ones as good as this - but anyone with an interest in early Medieval history will find much to divert and entertain them in this handsome, well-illustrated and thoughtful book.

This is a great book for someone that is interested in an introduction to the subject, or a first year undergraduate. Historians might find it too general and the period discussed too large to fit in such few pages. Having said that, I have been interested in Byzantine history lately and wanted to start with something more introductory and general before deciding on specific periods and characters to focus on. Keeping that in mind, this book was interesting and informative.

From its Roman Christian roots to Constantinople and the twists and turns which resulted in an empire split I across many continents, yet reflecting much in common.

The title is misleading. This is actually a collection of essays by different authors about various aspects of the title subject. No references are given and most essays are simply condensations of the more authoritative texts quoted in the bibliography.The opinions expressed in the final essay regarding the influence of Byzantine culture on modern Greek and Russian Orthodoxy are naive to say the least. Almost nothing is written about the influence of Byzantium on modern Greece - a very strange omission.The obtuse language used in many of the essays would negate any appeal to the lay reader expecting a readable introduction to this very complex subject.Printing quality and illustrations are first class.

This book is just what I expected!! A clear and precise rendering of the history of the Eastern Roman Empire from 300-1453. Great quality book with magnificent illuatrations both B/W and colour - numerous maps and drawings, and text touching upon both the political, economical and military Development during the period.

What is more, it is easy to read. I am using it for research.

A good book. Easy to read, for a history book. Lots of pictures. I have the Kindle edition and the pictures and captions are actually almost next to each other: that's good. Most Kindle books with illustrations - the illustrations are all the wrong size and not placed near the relevant text - but this book was (typeset) done very well.

Great book, very interesting read. I would highly recommend