The Lost World of Byzantium

November 23, 2015
Harris (The End of Byzantium), professor of the history of Byzantium at the University of London, challenges the commonplace view of the Byzantine empire as a forgettable relic. He contends that the empire, which endured for over 1000 years, was one of history's most incredible institutions. Chronicling Byzantium's cultural, political, and military achievements, he asks, "If its inhabitants really were so utterly supine and pathetic that they were incapable of defending themselves, then why did their society last so long?" Drawing on a diverse array of sources from numerous disciplines, Harris presents an accessible introduction to the major personalities, important disputes, and defining events of the Byzantine polity. Though the empire stretched for millions of square miles, the bulk of the action takes place within the walls of Constantinople, the unshakeable lodestar of Byzantine life. Harris identifies Constantinople's centripetal force as the seed of the empire's destruction. As palace-educated ministers and intellectuals neglected the provinces and dreaded postings in the hinterland, the administration increasingly depended on Latin mercenariesâan alluring, if dangerous, stopgap that turned disastrous as the empire lost the ability to finance them. Casual readers as well as specialists will appreciate Harris's insightful and well-informed paean to an intriguing and resilient culture. Maps.