From Rome to Byzantium: The Fifth Century AD
Michael Grant, the noted classical historian, opens his newest book by observing that while most classicists can name the Roman emperors in chronological order, few can say anything about Byzantium other than that it was founded by Constantine in the aftermath of a vision in which Christianity became the official religion of his empire. Grant does much to educate his colleagues, and his many readers, in this well-written, heavily illustrated book about Byzantium's first century, when Rome fell to German invaders and Constantinople, far to the east, rose. Byzantium, Grant says, was "in many ways a pretty nasty place," thanks to a succession of despotic governments, civil wars, and intrigues. But it would last a thousand years and leave a mark on world history, still commanding our attention today.--Gregory McNamee