Concise History Of Byzantium 285-1461AD Ancient Rome Greece Islam Christianity

Description

A Concise History Of Byzantium by Warren Treadgold.
NOTE
: We have 75,000 books in our library, almost 10,000 different titles. Odds are we have other copies of this same title in varying conditions, some less expensive, some better condition. We might also have different editions as well (some paperback, some hardcover, oftentimes international editions). If you don’t see what you want, please contact us and ask. We’re happy to send you a summary of the differing conditions and prices we may have for the same title.
DESCRIPTION:
Hardcover: 273 pages. Publisher: Palgrave; (2001).
Between 285 AD, when Byzantium first separated from the Western Roman Empire, and 1461, when the last Byzantine splinter state disappeared, the Byzantine state and society underwent many crises, triumphs, declines, and recoveries. Spanning twelve centuries and three continents, the Byzantine empire linked the ancient and modern worlds, shaping and transmitting Greek, Roman, and Christian traditions--including the Greek classics, Roman law, and Christian theology--that remain vigorous today, not only in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, but throughout western civilization. This book examines the causes behind Byzantium's successes, failures, and remarkable longevity. The author explains the paradoxes of Byzantium's long history by showing how Byzantine political leadership, military strategy, cultural attitudes, and social, institutional, and demographic changes combined with the strengths and weaknesses of the empire's enemies. Both a history and an adventure story, A Concise History of Byzantium will inform, entertain, and delight readers.
CONDITION: VERY GOOD. Lightly/partly read hardcover w/dustjacket. Palgrave/Macmillan Press Ltd./St. Martin's Press (2001) 273 pages. Very mild shelfwear to the outside, inside the book looks as if someone read through about page 50 (pages 17+19 have dogeared corners). It's possible someone read through the book in entirety, but there are no indications of the book being read beyond about page 50. I'd guess someone read the first 20 pages, dogeared the page where they left off, picked up the book once more and read through page 50 (the end of the second chapter), perhaps flipped through the book once or twice looking at the illustrations, put the book away on the bookshelf, never to be taken down again and finished. Inside the book is almost pristine EXCEPT for the dogeared pages 17/19. Otherwise the inside of the book is without blemish, the pages are clean, crisp, unmarked, unmutilated, tightly bound, at worst, read once, but quite possibly only flipped through a few times. From the outside the dustjacket and covers evidence only very mild edge and corner shelfwear. With regard to the dustjacket, this is principally in the form of very mild "crinkling" to the spine head. Beneath the dustjacket the covers are clean and unsoiled, merely evidencing very mild edge and corner shelfwear to the spine head and heel, and thre cover's "tips" (the four open corners of the covers, top and bottom, front and back). Except for the dogeared pages 17/19, the overall condition is not too far removed from what might pass as "new" from an open-shelf book store (such as Barnes & Noble, or B. Dalton, for example) wherein patrons are permitted to browse open stock, and so otherwise "new" books often show a little handling/shelf/browsing wear. Satisfaction unconditionally guaranteed. In stock, ready to ship. No disappointments, no excuses. PROMPT SHIPPING! HEAVILY PADDED, DAMAGE-FREE PACKAGING! Meticulous and accurate descriptions! Selling rare and out-of-print ancient history books on-line since 1997. We accept returns for any reason within 14 days! #213a.
PLEASE SEE IMAGES BELOW FOR JACKET DESCRIPTION(S) AND FOR PAGES OF PICTURES FROM INSIDE OF BOOK.
PLEASE SEE PUBLISHER, PROFESSIONAL, AND READER REVIEWS BELOW.
PUBLISHER REVIEW
:
REVIEW: Spanning twelve centuries and three continents, the Byzantine empire linked the ancient and modern worlds, shaping and transmitting Greek, Roman, and Christian traditions including the Greek classics, Roman law, and Christian theology that remain vigorous today, not only in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, but throughout western civilization. “A Concise History of Byzantium” examines the causes behind Byzantium's successes, failures, and remarkable longevity. Warren Treadgold is Professor of Late Ancient and Byzantine History at Saint Louis University.
PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS
:
REVIEW: Edward Gibbon regarded the Byzantine (or East Roman or Later Roman) Empire with disdain. It was both a pale imitation of classical Hellenic culture and a degenerate inheritor of Roman Latin political institutions. Although subsequent historians have modified that view, the general perception of a static empire in a state of "perpetual decline" remains. This compact survey of an empire that outlasted the Roman Empire in the West by a millennium may not dispel that notion, but it does pay tribute to the vibrancy, cultural richness, and historical legacy of the first great "Christian" empire. Treadgold necessarily moves quickly, but he convincingly illustrates how the Byzantine (1) transmitted elements of classical culture to disparate groups, including Slavs and Arabs, (2) were instrumental in bringing Christianity to eastern "barbarians," and (3) maintained a degree of stability in the eastern Mediterranean despite constant external threats. This is an excellent general history of a still underappreciated people and of their contributions to the modern world.
REVIEW: Much as H.D.F. Kitto condensed The Greeks (1988), Treadgold here abridges his massive History of the Byzantine State and Society. The Byzantine Empire (285-1461 A.D.) spanned three continents and demands a succinct overview, especially given its relevance to such diverse disciplines as modern Balkan politics and church history. The author's historiography depends greatly on quantifying change. In each chapter, he provides a narrative account of the events of a specific period followed by sections on the society and culture. These latter sections reflect the author's interest in the size and pay of the armies, the demographic variations of regions and cities, and such factors as urbanization or the lack thereof. He draws fascinating conclusions from the revenues and bureaucracies of the different eras. The excellent bibliography will also give readers a good start on research in any of the periods discussed.
READER REVIEWS
:
REVIEW: This is a fantastic, accessible introduction to the long and complicated history of a region that often gets overlooked or glossed over. In a little over 250 pages, Treadgold ably summarizes the ebb and flow of an empire which was at the crossroads of Western history. Though he focuses primarily on the political history of Byzantium, Treadgold also includes economic, social, and cultural developments, tying it all together with a conclusion that makes an excellent case for its significance to Western history. This is must reading for anybody interested in understanding how the Eastern Roman Empire survived the collapse of its western counterpart, as well as how its existence (and its own eventual fall) shaped the world in which we live today. Treadgold will likely provide the benchmark for future work among historians, and this is a work that is highly recommended.
REVIEW: This book gives very good coverage of the important points of Byzantine history in just a couple of hundred pages. The book is clear and well written with good analysis of economic and population factors as well what the military was doing. I also liked the balanced treatment of role of Christianity and the Church in the empire. If you want to understand how Byzantium survived for so long as the richest and most advanced state of the early Medieval world, while providing its subject with reasonably good government and the chance to live secure, productive lives, you should read this book. Treadgold draws upon a web of well-elucidated economic, social and intellectual/theological trends to derive cogent and convincing explanations for the shifting fortunes of Byzantine political power.
How did the Empire raise and finance its gigantic military establishment? How did it hold together its far-flung territories? What effects did recurrent epidemics and other uncontrollable forces have on its destiny? What kinds of lives did its subjects lead in village, town and city? How did the Byzantine monetary system function? How much land did the Empire control and how many subjects did it rule at its various peaks and declines? These are some of the questions Treadgold's book attempts and (for the most part) succeeds in answering. In short, this is primarily an analytical look at Byzantine history and only secondarily a chronology of events. Its compact size and overall readibility make it an ideal volume for those of us how want to know not only WHAT happened to the Byzantines, but WHY.
REVIEW: It seems like this is the only English book out there that summarizes Byzantine history using latest scholarly research. This is a very good although brief little book. Byzantium is the name given to the part of the Roman Empire which survived the collapse of the West. Those who lived in it would have known themselves as Romans. The author's primary interest is in the revivals & declines that happened during the long Byzantine history. The writing style is clear, and the sections are very evenly divided. As such, besides being a good read, this book provides good pointers for further reading in Byzantine history.
The historian who has shaped the popular view of the Roman Empire is Gibbon. His rather long work explores a theme. That theme is that the Roman Empire reached its peak when its members were pagan and immersed in the values of a classical civilization. The conversion to Christianity changed the nature and structure of the empire and led to its decline. This book broadly suggests that this view is poppycock and it uses a statistical and analytical approach to prove its point. Broadly what is argued is that the reason for the decline of Rome was bound up in the nature of the imperial system in 200 onwards. The basis of the authority of the Emperor was the support of the army. The army in turn consisted of troops who were generally non-roman. Although the Empire was nominally the strongest power in Europe at the time its internal authority was subject to fragmentation and it was this which led to the collapse of the Empire in the West.
In the East a similar thing happened. However the Emperors were gradually able to re-assert civil power over the military. In addition it was also possible to build a common culture based on the Greek language and Christianity which unified the Empire and gave those who lived in it a common identity. Rather than declining the Eastern Empire was able under Justinian to go on the offensive and to re-conquer Africa and Italy. Whilst the Empire was to suffer reverses it lasted to 1200 A.D. and was still one of the strongest powers in Europe in 1000 A.D. It is a book which cannot be recommended highly enough.
I always ship books Media Mail in a padded mailer. This book is shipped
FOR FREE
via USPS
INSURED
media mail (“book rate”). All domestic shipments and most international shipments will
include
free USPS Delivery Confirmation (you might be able to update the status of your shipment on-line at the
USPS Web Site
and free insurance coverage). A small percentage of international shipments may require an additional fee for tracking and/or delivery confirmation. If you are concerned about a little wear and tear to the book in transit, I would suggest a boxed shipment - it is an extra .00. Whether via padded mailer or box, we will give discounts for multiple purchases. International orders are welcome, but shipping costs are substantially higher.
Most international orders cost an additional .99 to .99 for an
insured
shipment in a heavily padded mailer, and typically
includes
some form of rudimentary tracking and/or delivery confirmation (though for some countries, this is only available at additional cost). There is also a discount program which can cut postage costs by 50% to 75% if you’re buying about half-a-dozen books or more (5 kilos+).  Rates and available services vary a bit from country to country.  You can email or message me for a shipping cost quote, but I assure you they are as reasonable as USPS rates allow, and if it turns out the rate is too high for your pocketbook, we will cancel the sale at your request.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASES
do receive a
VERY LARGE
discount, typically about per book (for each additional book after the first) so as to reward you for the economies of combined shipping/insurance costs.  Your purchase will ordinarily be shipped within 48 hours of payment.  We package as well as anyone in the business, with lots of protective padding and containers.
All of our shipments are sent via insured mail so as to comply with PayPal requirements. We do NOT recommend uninsured shipments, and expressly disclaim any responsibility for the loss of an uninsured shipment. Unfortunately the contents of parcels are easily “lost” or misdelivered by postal employees – even in the USA. That’s why all of our domestic shipments (and most international) shipments
include
a USPS delivery confirmation tag; or are trackable or traceable, and all shipments (international and domestic) are insured. We do offer U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Registered Mail, and Express Mail for both international and domestic shipments, as well United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fed-Ex). Please ask for a rate quotation. We will accept whatever payment method you are most comfortable with. If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked return policy. Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price (less our original shipping costs).
Most of the items I offer come from the collection of a family friend who was active in the field of Archaeology for over forty years. However many of the items also come from purchases I make in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) from various institutions and dealers. Though I have always had an interest in archaeology, my own academic background was in sociology and cultural anthropology. After my retirement however, I found myself drawn to archaeology as well. Aside from my own personal collection, I have made extensive and frequent additions of my own via purchases on Ebay (of course), as well as many purchases from both dealers and institutions throughout the world – but especially in the Near East and in Eastern Europe. I spend over half of my year out of the United States, and have spent much of my life either in India or Eastern Europe. In fact much of what we generate on Yahoo, Amazon and Ebay goes to support The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, as well as some other worthy institutions in Europe connected with Anthropology and Archaeology.
I acquire some small but interesting collections overseas from time-to-time, and have as well some duplicate items within my own collection which I occasionally decide to part with. Though I have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, my primary interest is in ancient jewelry. My wife also is an active participant in the "business" of antique and ancient jewelry, and is from Russia. I would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from me. There is a fee for mailing under separate cover. Whenever I am overseas I have made arrangements for purchases to be shipped out via domestic mail. If I am in the field, you may have to wait for a week or two for a COA to arrive via international air mail. But you can be sure your purchase will arrive properly packaged and promptly - even if I am absent. And when I am in a remote field location with merely a notebook computer, at times I am not able to access my email for a day or two, so be patient, I will always respond to every email. Please see our
"ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE."
TRANSLATE
Arabic
Chinese
French
German
Greek
Indonesian
Italian
Hindi
Japanese
Korean
Swedish
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish