Discover Volume 1 of this highly acclaimed series, a comprehensive and visually engaging resource for enthusiasts and scholars alike. This volume includes 32 pages of detailed illustrations that bring the content to life, providing clear visual references to complement the textual information.
by John Julius Norwich
First American Edition, Hardcover
The first volume of John Julius Norwich's acclaimed three-part history of the Byzantine Empire, Byzantium: The Early Centuries traces the rise of the Eastern Roman Empire from the founding of Constantinople by Constantine the Great in the fourth century through the dramatic reign of Empress Irene in the late eighth century. Combining meticulous scholarship with an engaging narrative style, Norwich brings to life the emperors, generals, churchmen, and statesmen who shaped one of history's longest-lasting civilizations.
The book explores the transformation of the Roman Empire in the East, the reign of Justinian the Great, the construction of Hagia Sophia, the codification of Roman law, the wars against the Persians and later the Arab conquests, the emergence of Orthodox Christianity, the Iconoclastic Controversy, and the political, military, and religious challenges that defined Byzantium's formative centuries. Richly illustrated with maps, genealogies, and photographs, it serves as both an excellent introduction and a detailed history of the empire's early development.
Celebrated for its clarity, wit, and vivid storytelling, Norwich's Byzantine trilogy has become a standard work for readers interested in medieval history, the Eastern Roman Empire, and the transition from the ancient to the medieval world.
John Julius Norwich (1929–2018) was a British historian, diplomat, and television presenter best known for his highly readable works on Byzantine history, Venice, Sicily, and the Mediterranean world. His ability to combine rigorous historical research with an accessible narrative style earned him a wide international readership, and his Byzantine trilogy remains one of the most popular general histories of the empire.
Please review the photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.