The Lost World of Byzantium

by Jonathan Harris Narrated by Gareth Richards

Overview

The acclaimed author of Byzantium and the Crusades "offers a fresh take on this fabled but hidden civilization" across eleven centuries of history (Colin Wells).



For more than a millennium, the Byzantine Empire presided over the juncture between East and West, as well as the transition from the classical to the modern world. Rather than recounting the standard chronology of emperors and battles, leading Byzantium scholar Jonathan Harris focuses on a succession of archetypal figures, families, places, and events.



Harris's introduction presents a civilization rich in contrasts, combining orthodox Christianity with paganism, and classical Greek learning with Roman power. Though frequently assailed by numerous armies, Byzantium survived by dint of its unorthodox foreign policy. Over time, its sumptuous art and architecture flourished, helping to establish a deep sense of Byzantine identity in its people.



Synthesizing a wealth of sources to cover all major aspects of the empire's social, political, military, religious, cultural, and artistic history, Harris's study illuminates the heart of Byzantine civilization and explores its remarkable and lasting influence on the modern world.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

11/23/2015
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 mercenaries—an 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. (Oct.)

From the Publisher

Harris canters through the 11 centuries that followed the refoundation of the city of Byzantium by Constantine in the fourth century until its fall in 1453. He keeps up a swift pace as the fortunes of the empire ebb and flow . . . a welcome addition to an increasingly crowded field.”—Peter Frankopan, Daily Telegraph

“Harris’ aim is to present a more nuanced account of Byzantine history, which emphasizes the vibrancy of the empire’s culture, the extent of its influence, and, above all, the empire’s remarkable adaptability . . . [the book] strikes a good balance between succinct exposition and elucidation of broader themes in political, military, social, religious and cultural history, thereby providing an excellent and engaging introduction to Byzantine history.”—Doug Lee, History Today

“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. . . . Casual readers as well as specialists will appreciate Harris's insightful and well-informed paean to an intriguing and resilient culture.”—Publishers Weekly

“Harris is an efficient writer with an eye for entertaining detail, and as a result, the volume can be read with pleasure by general readers and younger students.”—Choice

“The Lost World of Byzantium is an excellent presentation for the literate general reader who wants to know more about Byzantine history, or for students who would like more story with their history.”—Diana Gilliland Wright

“What about the remarkable society in which this distinctive imaginative world, based on the tension between matter and spirit, had been built up over so many centuries? Those who want to know can turn with confidence to Jonathan Harris’s The Lost World of Byzantium.”—Peter Brown, New York Review of Books

“Readers who want a well-written popularization of Byzantine history by an expert will . . . find Jonathan Harris’s The Lost World of Byzantium the best choice available.”—Warren Treadgold, Speculum

"For long consigned to the shadows of history, ignored, derided or caricatured, the preserve of academic specialists or Greek nationalists, the thousand-year Byzantine empire is only now belatedly emerging into the light of recognition as a major force in the development of Europe, the Mediterranean and the Near East. In this lively, learned, enlightening and accessible new study, Jonathan Harris explores and explodes past misconceptions by focusing on ten pivotal figures across ten centuries to demonstrate the protean quality of a civilization that masked vibrant, often desperate change behind a show of immemorial continuity. Harris’s deft, engaging use of primary evidence allows Byzantium to reveal itself while always directing the reader to what is significant and illuminating, from vivid stories of individual drama to searching analysis of the social and cultural structures of the most lasting political institution of the Christian world."—Christopher Tyerman, author of God's War: A New History of the Crusades

"Jonathan Harris has done it again. His timely new history of Byzantium avoids 'the usual suspects' and instead offers a fresh take on this fabled but hidden civilization. Each chapter goes straight to the heart of history, opening a carefully chosen window onto one era in Byzantium’s thousand-year lifespan. Frame by revealing frame, a story unfolds that is as lively and gripping as it is original and insightful. A hugely rewarding read from this generation's most exciting Byzantine historian."—Colin Wells, author of Sailing From Byzantium: How a Lost Empire Shaped the World

"Given the glut of introductory books on Byzantium now available there is the danger that another volume could be redundant, but Jonathan Harris’s book is fresh and exciting. He writes with great verve and makes excellent use of case studies and anecdotes, summing things up efficiently and effectively. Harris rightly remarks on how Byzantium is sidelined and that its long survival needs to be appreciated and explained. This book provides a very valuable service."—Shaun Tougher, author of The Reign of Leo VI

Daily Telegraph - Peter Frankopan

Harris canters through the 11 centuries that followed the refoundation of the city of Byzantium by Constantine in the fourth century until its fall in 1453. He keeps up a swift pace as the fortunes of the empire ebb and flow… a welcome addition to an increasingly crowded field.”—Peter Frankopan, Daily Telegraph

New York Review of Books - Peter Brown

What about the remarkable society in which this distinctive imaginative world, based on the tension between matter and spirit, had been built up over so many centuries? Those who want to know can turn with confidence to Jonathan Harris’s The Lost World of Byzantium.”—Peter Brown, New York Review of Books

Choice

Harris is an efficient writer with an eye for entertaining detail, and as a result, the volume can be read with pleasure by general readers and younger students.”—Choice

History Today - Doug Lee

Harris’ aim is to present a more nuanced account of Byzantine history, which emphasises the vibrancy of the empire’s culture, the extent of its influence, and, above all, the empire’s remarkable adaptability… [the book] strikes a good balance between succinct exposition and elucidation of broader themes in political, military, social, religious and cultural history, thereby providing an excellent and engaging introduction to Byzantine history.”—Doug Lee, History Today

Literary Review - Peter Sarris

Harris presents his case not only with lightness of hand but also surety of foot… The writing is elegant, the facts are carefully controlled and the narrative enlightened by revealing anecdotes and suggestive extracts from the primary sources”—Peter Sarris, Literary Review

BBC History Magazine - Peter Heather

Harris has succeeded triumphantly in producing a fresh and highly readable account of this extraordinary institution…An acute eye for detail is sustained throughout the book: Harris never fails to find the best story to focus readers’ attention on each chapter’s central subject. More fundamentally the book is beautifully constructed on the back of highly intelligent narrative choices… he triumphantly overcomes the limits of his brief to take the reader to the heart of what it meant to be Byzantine.”—Peter Heather, BBC History

Product Details

BN ID:	2940159984326
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	08/22/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged

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