The Cambridge History of the Byzantine Empire, c. 500 - 1492

Description

Byzantium lasted a thousand years, ruled to the end by self-styled 'emperors of the Romans'. It underwent kaleidoscopic territorial and structural changes, yet recovered repeatedly from disaster: even after the near-impregnable Constantinople fell in 1204, variant forms of the empire reconstituted themselves. The Cambridge History of the Byzantine Empire tells the story, tracing political and military events, religious controversies and economic change. It offers clear, authoritative chapters on the main events and periods, with more detailed chapters on particular outlying regions, neighbouring powers or aspects of Byzantium. With aids such as a glossary, an alternative place-name table and references to English translations of sources, it will be valuable as an introduction. However, it also offers stimulating new approaches and important new findings, making it essential reading for postgraduates and for specialists. Contents Maps Illustrations Tables Dedication Preface Preface to the paperback edition General Introduction i Approaching Byzantium ii Periodisation and the contents of this book iii Other routes to Byzantium iv Smoothing the way and short-cuts to Byzantium: texts in translation Part I. The Earlier Empire, c. 500 - c. 700 1 Justinian and his legacy (500–600) 2 Eastern neighbours 2a Persia and the Sasanian monarchy (224–651) 2b Armenia (400–600) 2c The Arabs to the time of the Prophet 3 Western approaches (500–600) 4 Byzantium transforming (600–700) Part II. The Middle Empire, c. 700 - 1204 5 State of emergency (700–850) 6 After iconoclasm (850–886) 7 Religious missions 8 Armenian neighbours (600–1045) 9 Confronting Islam: emperors versus caliphs (641–c. 850) 10 Western approaches (700–900) 11 Byzantine Italy (680–876) 12 The middle Byzantine economy (600–1204) 13 Equilibrium to expansion (886–1025) 14 Western approaches (900–1025) 15 Byzantium and southern Italy (876–1000) 16 Belle époque or crisis? (1025–1118) 17 The empire of the Komnenoi (1118–1204) 18 Balkan borderlands (1018–1204) 19 Raiders and neighbours: the Turks (1040–1304) Part III. The Byzantine Lands in the Later Middle Ages, 1204 - 1492 20 After the Fourth Crusade 20a The Greek rump states and the recovery of Byzantium 20b The Latin empire of Constantinople and the Frankish states 21 Balkan powers: Albania, Serbia and Bulgaria (1200–1300) 22 The Palaiologoi and the world around them (1261–1400) 23 Latins in the Aegean and the Balkans (1300–1400) 24 The Roman orthodox world (1393–1492) Glossary (including some proper names) Genealogical tables and lists of rulers List of alternative place names Bibliography Picture Acknowledgements Index