Description
The Cambridge History of the Byzantine Empire c.500-1492 is a history of the Byzantine Empire published by Cambridge University Press in 2009. It was edited by Jonathan Shepard of the University of Cambridge. The history is made up of 24 chapters in chronological order comprising new and reprinted material, 15 of them having previously appeared in other Cambridge books such as The Cambridge Ancient History and The New Cambridge Medieval History. The history was criticized in review for a lack of coherence in time periods and coverage arising from the stitching together of material from other sources, the fact that some of the material was not completely up to date, and a tendency to concentrate too much on matters outside the empire to the neglect of internal affairs. Some of the new chapters, however, were praised for their original content. 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 c.500–1492 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 outlying regions and neighboring societies and powers of Byzantium. With aids such as maps, 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 findings, making it essential reading for postgraduates and for specialists. The revised paperback edition contains a new preface by the editor and will offer an invaluable companion to survey courses in Byzantine history.