The Age Of Justinian And Theodora

The Age of Justinian examines the reign of the great emperor Justinian (527-565) and his wife Theodora, who advanced from the theatre to the throne. The origins of the irrevocable split between East and West, between the Byzantine and the Persian Empire are chronicled, which continue up to the present day. The book looks at the social structure of sixth century Byzantium, and the neighbours that surrounded the empire. It also deals with Justinian's wars, which restored Italy, Africa and a part of Spain to the empire.

The story of the peasant's son who became an emperor and the dissolute actress who resided beside him on the throne is one of the greatest and most controversial romances of history. United, they presided over a key epoch in the formation of Europe.

The Age of Justinian and Theodora is the story of the first notable husband-and-wife partnership in modern history and an indispensable reference on the history of sixth century Byzantium. Each chapter introduces a record of events as well as a presentment of the people amongst whom and of the stages upon which those events occurred. This detailed account is the first to contain the complete life and deeds of Justinian and his empress, Theodora. The author also presents a unique correlation of science and progress put in perspective with the ancient and modern world. The first volume depicts life in Constantinople in the sixth century, including political, religious, and educational life under the rule of Anastasius and moves on to describe the rise of Justinian to the Byzantine throne, while giving a depiction of Theodora's alleged notorious pre-imperial career. However, the text goes beyond this to outline the role of women and daily life in general. The Second volume is a detailed account of Justinian's accomplishments and his weaknesses, including his wars with Persia, the architectural marvel of St Sophia, his legislative achievements, his failure as a ruler leading to rebellion, and the religious intrigues that plagued his reign. The volume ends with the final days of the emperor and his efforts to make his legacy known to the world.

In 'The Age of Justinian and Theodora (Vol.1&2)', William Gordon Holmes provides a comprehensive examination of the political and social dynamics during the reign of Justinian and Theodora in Byzantium. Holmes meticulously explores the legal reforms, military campaigns, and religious shifts that characterized this period, offering a rich tapestry of historical detail. His efficient prose and scholarly analysis make this work a valuable resource for anyone interested in Byzantine history. William Gordon Holmes, a distinguished historian specializing in the Byzantine Empire, brings his expertise to illuminate the intricacies of the reign of Justinian and Theodora. Holmes' meticulous research and insightful interpretations offer readers a nuanced understanding of this fascinating era in Byzantine history. I highly recommend 'The Age of Justinian and Theodora (Vol.1&2)' to history enthusiasts, scholars, and students alike. Holmes' thorough exploration of the political, social, and religious landscape of the time provides a captivating and informative read that sheds light on a crucial period in Byzantine history.

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 that some 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 the fifth 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 his own 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 ancient warfare.