Mark Whittow presents a clear, up-to-date reassessment of the Byzantine empire during a crucial phase in the history of the Near East. Against a geopolitical background (superbly illustrated with fourteen maps), his book covers the last decade of the Roman empire as a superpower, the catastrophic cr[...]
This study provides a comprehensive narrative and analysis from the decline of the Roman Empire, giving an account of the Dark Age economy, society and politics, and the Byzantine response to Christianity. It finishes with a discussion of the successful defence of Asia Minor.[...]