Byzantium

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Byzantium evokes grandeur and complexity. In this unique exploration, Judith Herrin unveils the richness of a distinct civilization. Rather than following a standard chronological account of the Byzantine Empire's millennium-long history, she addresses fundamental questions about what Byzantium was and its significance today. Herrin presents the latest scholarship in accessible prose, with each short chapter centered on a theme, event, monument, or historical figure, examining it within the broader context of Byzantine history—from the foundation of Constantinople by Constantine the Great to its capture by the Ottoman Turks. She argues that Byzantium's role as the eastern defender of Christendom against Muslim expansion during the early Middle Ages was crucial for the development of Europe and the modern Western world. Herrin captivates readers with discussions on various aspects of Byzantine culture and society, including the intricate ceremonies of the imperial court, the beauty of Hagia Sophia, chariot races, monastic spirituality, diplomacy, and literature. She reveals the intriguing lives of military usurpers, ascetics, eunuchs, courtesans, and artisans who created the silks, icons, ivories, and mosaics emblematic of Byzantine art. This innovative history showcases the civilization's rise to military and cultural supremacy, its destruction by the Fourth Crusade, and its eventual conquest in 1453.