From Rome to Byzantium AD 363 to 565: The Transformation of Ancient Rome (The Edinburgh History of Ancient Rome)

Between the deaths of the Emperors Julian (363) and Justinian (565), the Roman Empire underwent momentous changes. Most obviously, control of the west was lost to barbarian groups during the fifth century, and although parts were recovered by Justinian, the empire's centre of gravity shifted irrevocably to the east, with its focal point now the city of Constantinople. Equally important was the increasing dominance of Christianity not only in religious life, but also in politics, society and culture. Doug Lee charts these and other significant developments which contributed to the transformation of ancient Rome and its empire into Byzantium and the early medieval west. By emphasising the resilience of the east during late antiquity and the continuing vitality of urban life and the economy, this volume offers an alternative perspective to the traditional paradigm of decline and fall. Key features: ́⁰Ø Provides a clear analytical narrative of pivotal political, military, and religious developments ́⁰Ø Complements this with an examination of overarching trends in urban life and the economy ́⁰Ø Gives particular attention to the dynamics of political and religious power and of Roman-barbarian relations during the fifth century The final dramatic centuries of Roman history Between the deaths of the Emperors Julian (363) and Justinian (565), the Roman Empire underwent momentous changes. Most obviously, control of the west was lost to barbarian groups during the fifth century, and although parts were recovered by Justinian, the empire's centre of gravity shifted irrevocably to the east, with its focal point now the city of Constantinople. Equally important was the increasing dominance of Christianity not only in religious life, but also in politics, society and culture. Doug Lee charts these and other significant developments which contributed to the transformation of ancient Rome and its empire into Byzantium and the early medieval west. By emphasising the resilience of the east during late antiquity and the continuing vitality of urban life and the economy, this volume offers an alternative perspective to the traditional paradigm of decline and fall. Key Provides a clear analytical narrative of pivotal political, military, and religious developments Complements this with an examination of overarching trends in urban life and the economy Gives particular attention to the dynamics of political and religious power and of Roman-barbarian relations during the fifth century Late Antiquity, Late Roman Empire, Fall of the Empire, Early Byzantine Empire, barbarians, Goths, vandals, Theodosius, Justinian Between the deaths of the Emperors Julian (363) and Justinian (565), the Roman Empire underwent momentous changes. Most obviously, control of the west was lost to barbarian groups during the fifth century, and although parts were recovered by Justinian, the empire's centre of gravity shifted irrevocably to the east, with its focal point now the city of Constantinople. Equally important was the increasing dominance of Christianity not only in religious life, but also in politics, society and culture. Doug Lee charts these and other significant developments which contributed to the transformation of ancient Rome and its empire into Byzantium and the early medieval west. By emphasising the resilience of the east during late antiquity and the continuing vitality of urban life and the economy, this volume offers an alternative perspective to the traditional paradigm of decline and fall. Key features: ́0Ø Provides a clear analytical narrative of pivotal political, military, and religious developments ́0Ø Complements this with an examination of overarching trends in urban life and the economy ́0Ø Gives particular attention to the dynamics of political and religious power and of Roman-barbarian relations during the fifth century Outlines the significant developments in the period AD 363 to 565These centuries witnessed a number of momentous changes in the character of the Roman empire. Most obviously, control of the west was lost during the fifth century, and although parts of the west were reconquered in the sixth century, the empire's centre of gravity had shifted irrevocably to the east, with its focal point now the city of Constantinople. Equally important was the increasing dominance of Christianity not only in religious life, but also in politics, society and culture. A. D. Lee charts these and other significant developments which marked the transformation of Ancient Rome into medieval Byzantium. By no means only a story of decline and fall, it also explores the reasons for the resilience of the east, as well as Rome's legacy to the emerging medieval world.Key features: draws together the threads of 'Roman' history up to this point also points the way forward to the developments, both in the east and the west of the former Roman Empire in the centuries which followed "Outlines the significant developments in the period AD 363 to 565. These centuries witnessed a number of momentous changes in the character of the Roman empire. Most obviously, control of the west was lost during the fifth century, and although parts of the west were reconquered in the sixth century, the empire's centre of gravity had shifted irrevocably to the east, with its focal point now the city of Constantinople. Equally important was the increasing dominance of Christianity not only in religious life, but also in politics, society and culture. Doug Lee charts these and other significant developments which contributed to the transformation of ancient Rome and its empire into Byzantium and the early medieval west. By emphasising the resilience of the east during late antiquity and the continuing vitality of urban life and the economy, this volume offers an alternative perspective to the traditional paradigm of decline and fall."-- Résumé de l'éditeur "Outlines the significant developments in the period AD 363 to 565. These centuries witnessed a number of momentous changes in the character of the Roman empire. Most obviously, control of the west was lost during the fifth century, and although parts of the west were reconquered in the sixth century, the empire's centre of gravity had shifted irrevocably to the east, with its focal point now the city of Constantinople. Equally important was the increasing dominance of Christianity not only in religious life, but also in politics, society and culture. Doug Lee charts these and other significant developments which contributed to the transformation of ancient Rome and its empire into Byzantium and the early medieval west. By emphasising the resilience of the east during late antiquity and the continuing vitality of urban life and the economy, this volume offers an alternative perspective to the traditional paradigm of decline and fall."-- Provided by publisher "Between the deaths of the Emperors Julian (363) and Justinian (565), the Roman Empire underwent momentous changes. Most obviously, control of the west was lost to barbarian groups during the fifth century, and although parts were recovered by Justinian, the empire's centre of gravity shifted irrevocably to the east, with its focal point now the city of Constantinople. Equally important was the increasing dominance of Christianity not only in religious life, but also in politics, society and culture. Doug Lee charts these and other significant developments which contributed to the transformation of ancient Rome and its empire into Byzantium and the early medieval west. By emphasising the resilience of the east during late antiquity and the continuing vitality of urban life and the economy, this volume offers an alternative perspective to the traditional paradigm of decline and fall"--P. [4] of cover. Looks at the transformation of the Roman world under the combined impact of Christianity and barbarian incomers. This book charts these and other significant developments which marked the transformation of Ancient Rome into medieval Byzantium. It provides a clear analytical narrative of pivotal political, military, and religious developments.