Rome Resurgent

Between the fall of the western Roman Empire in the fifth century and the collapse of the east in the face of the Arab invasions in the seventh, the remarkable era of the Emperor Justinian (527-568) dominated the Mediterranean region. Famous for his conquests in Italy and North Africa, and for the creation of spectacular monuments such as the Hagia Sophia, his reign was also marked by global religious conflict within the Christian world and an outbreak of plague thatsome have compared to the Black Death. For many historians, Justinian is far more than an anomaly of Byzantine ambition between the eras of Attila and Muhammad; he is the causal link that binds together the two moments of Roman imperial collapse. Determined to reverse the losses Rome suffered in thefifth century, Justinian unleashed an aggressive campaign in the face of tremendous adversity, not least the plague. This book offers a fundamentally new interpretation of his conquest policy and its overall strategic effect, which has often been seen as imperial overreach, making the regime vulnerable to the Islamic takeover of its richest territories in the seventh century and thus transforming the great Roman Empire of Late Antiquity into its pale shadow of the Middle Ages. In Rome Resurgent, historian Peter Heather draws heavily upon contemporary sources, including the writings of Procopius, the principal historian of the time, while also recasting that author's narrative by bringing together new perspectives based on a wide array of additional source material. A huge body of archaeological evidence has become available for the sixth century, providing entirely new means of understanding the overall effects of Justinian's war policies. Building on hisown distinguished work on the Vandals, Goths, and Persians, Heather also gives much fuller coverage to Rome's enemies than Procopius ever did. A briskly paced narrative by a master historian, Rome Resurgent promises to introduce readers to this captivating and unjustly overlooked chapter in ancientwarfare.

Heather offers a clear, logically argued analysis of what Procopius wrote., Rome Resurgent is utterly brilliant., Heather offers a deeper understanding of [Justinian's] reign and his arguments are convincing. For readers who already know this period of history well, this book will definitely be thought-provoking ... he's produced a well-written narrative that's engaging and easy to read, making this book accessible to anybody with an interest in Justinian, not just academics., This is a well-written, lucid, and persuasive general history of the reign of Justinian and the broader context within which it should be understood, one that offers an up-to-date account of a crucial moment in the history of the Mediterranean and Middle East and should certainly replace some of the older popular literature on Justinian and his reign., Bold, absorbing and thoroughly compelling . . . Combining a wealth of literary material, a flare for swashbuckling narrative, and the most up-to-date archaeological discoveries available, Heather endeavours to achieve a critical realignment of the traditional and often contradictory views of Justinian's attempt to reconstitute the West at the point of a sword.

Peter Heather is Professor of Medieval History at King's College London, and author of The Fall of the Roman Empire, Empires and Barbarians, and The Restoration of Rome.