Oxford Handbook of Byzantine Studies

The Oxford Handbook of Byzantine Studies presents discussions by leading experts on all significant aspects of this diverse and fast-growing field. Byzantine Studies deals with the history and culture of the Byzantine Empire, the eastern half of the Late Roman Empire, from the fourth to the fourteenth century. Its centre was the city formerly known as Byzantium, refounded as Constantinople in 324 CE, the present-day Istanbul. Under its emperors, patriarchs, andall-pervasive bureaucracy Byzantium developed a distinctive society: Greek in language, Roman in legal system, and Christian in religion. Byzantium's impact in the European Middle Ages is hard to over-estimate, as a bulwark against invaders, as a meeting-point for trade from Asia and the Mediterranean, asa guardian of the classical literary and artistic heritage, and as a creator of its own magnificent artistic style.

It is written in a style that provides a first port of call for any undergraduate or novice analysing the perios, while supplying enough detail to keep experienced scholars stimlated, This book will fulfil its primary function very well and serve as an excellent introduction to Byzantine history and culture both for the novice who requires a broad overview of developments and for the expert in one or more areas who wishes to expand his or her knowledge into others, it is a magnificent work which will be an invaluable help to all students of Byzantium. In times of crisis, this compliment is worth more than before - the handbook is worth every penny (or cent)spent on it., The Oxford Handbook of Byzantine Studies is a useful, one volume reference work that would well serve both the scholar and general reader with an interest in Byzantine culture., the book has been carefully edited. It is to be recommended as a well-informed and wide coverage of the present state of Byzantine studies, which students and anyone interested in the lost civilization of the Eastern Roman Empire should have in their library

Elizabeth Jeffreys is Emeritus Bywater and Sotheby Professor of Byzantine and Modern Greek Language and Literature, Oxford University, and Emeritus Fellow of Exeter College withJohn Haldon is Professor of Byzantine History, Princeton University.Robin Cormack is Professor Emeritus, History of Art, Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London and Honorary Professor in the History of Classical Art, University of Nottingham.