Byzantium and the Decline of the Roman Empire

Description

Professor Kaegi studies the response of the eastern half of the Roman Empire to the disintegration of western Rome, usually dated from the sack of the city of Rome in A.D. 410. Using sources from the fifth and sixth centuries, he shows that the eastern empire had a clear awareness of, interest in, and definite opinions on the disasters that befell Rome in the west. Religious arguments, both Pagan and Christian, tended to dominate the thinking of the intellectuals, but economic and diplomatic activity also contributed to the reaction. This reaction, the author finds, was in a distinctly eastern manner and reflected quite naturally the special conditions prevailing in the eastern provinces. Preface vii Abbreviations χ Key to coins xi i. Eastern Emperors and Western Crises: OfiBcial Eastern Responses to the Deterioration of the Western Roman Empire 3 n. Political and Religious Pagan Protests: Political and Religious Criticism and Opposition in the East5 400-475 59 in. Zosimus and the Climax of Pagan Historical Apologetics 99 rv. The Diversity of Christian Reactions 146 v. Divine Providence and the Roman Empire: A Positive Eastern Christian Interpretation of Recent History 176 VL Conclusions 224 Annotated Bibliography 257 Index 281