The Surprising Life of a Medieval Empire
With a new preface by the author
Byzantium is Judith Herrin’s masterful and often surprising history of a 1,000-year empire, in a Folio Society edition sumptuously illustrated with imperial treasures, plus a new introduction by the author.
‘The best introduction to Byzantine history I’ve seen... This most intriguing of empires is depicted so vividly and clearly.’
- Philip Pullman
The Byzantine Empire was a world power for more than 1,000 years, from the founding of its magnificent capital, Constantinople (modern Istanbul) by Constantine the Great in 330 to its fall to the Ottoman Turks in 1453. In this sweeping history, Judith Herrin examines the life and legacy of this great civilisation that evolved out of the Roman Empire – its emperors and empresses, conquests and Crusades, desperate sieges, and importance as a bulwark between the West and the burgeoning Islamic world, making possible the ascent of modern Europe. Byzantium’s cultural glories are displayed in 32 pages of dazzling colour images, including great churches and monasteries, gold and silver work, painted and ivory icons, and vivid mosaics. In a new preface, Herrin rejoices that recent interest has taken Byzantium ‘out of its East Mediterranean corner to reveal its brilliant contributions to global civilisations’ – an ambition achieved in this fascinating introduction by a gifted scholar of late antiquity.
PRODUCTION DETAILS
Bound in printed and blocked cloth
Set in Bembo Book with Baker Signet display
456 pages
28 pages of colour plates
6 maps plus 21 integrated black & white images, including full-and double-page spreads
Ribbon marker
Blocked slipcase
10˝ x 6¾˝
Images of imperial splendour
The crucible of Europe
Gorgeous book! Great addition to our home library!
Review by Melisa fox on 10th January 2025
A very comprehensive book with incredible artwork and photos 🤓
Review by Nikos on 11th September 2024
Good quality
Review by Blair McMurchie on 4th September 2024
a beautiful book
Review by Peter Schmidt on 24th January 2024
Beautifully produced and fascinating
Review by Mr Paul Jackson on 7th December 2023
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