The Varangian Guard: The History and Legacy of the Byzantine Empire’s Elite Mercenary Unit

Istanbul's history is a catalogue of change, not least of name, yet it has managed to retain its own unique identity. John Freely captures the flavour of daily life as well as court ceremonial and intrigue. The book also includes a comprehensive gazetteer of all major monuments and museums. An in-depth study of this legendary city through its many different ages from its earliest foundation to the present day - the perfect traveller's companion and guide. This New Edition Of Byzantium And The Crusades Provides A Fully-revised And Updated Version Of Jonathan Harris's Landmark Text In The Field Of Byzantine And Crusader History. The Book Offers A Chronological Exploration Of Byzantium And The Outlook Of Its Rulers During The Time Of The Crusades. It Argues That One Of The Main Keys To Byzantine Interaction With Western Europe, The Crusades And The Crusader States Can Be Found In The Nature Of The Byzantine Empire And The Ideology Which Underpinned It, Rather Than In Any Generalised Hostility Between The Peoples. Taking Recent Scholarship Into Account, This New Edition Includes An Updated Notes Section And Bibliography, As Well As Significant Additions To The Text: New Material On The Role Of Religious Differences After 1100, A Detailed Discussion Of Economic, Social And Religious Changes That Took Place In 12th-century Byzantine Relations With The West, In-depth Coverage Of Byzantium And The Crusades During The 13th Century, New Maps, Illustrations, Genealogical Tables And A Timeline Of Key Dates. Byzantium And The Crusades Is An Important Contribution To The Historiography By A Major Scholar In The Field That Should Be Read By Anyone Interested In Byzantine And Crusader History-- Introduction -- The Empire Of Christ -- The Power Behind The Throne -- Response To Crisis -- The Passage Of The First Crusade -- Jerusalem And Antioch -- The Friend Of The Latins -- Andronicus The Tyrant -- Iron Not Gold -- Paralysis And Extortion -- The Rivers Of Babylon -- And So The Land Is Lost! -- Epilogue : The Impact. Jonathan Harris. First Published In 2003 By The Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd--title Page Verso. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 237-255) And Index. "This new edition of Byzantium and the Crusades provides a fully-revised and updated version of Jonathan Harris's landmark text in the field of Byzantine and crusader history. The book offers a chronological exploration of Byzantium and the outlook of its rulers during the time of the Crusades. It argues that one of the main keys to Byzantine interaction with Western Europe, the Crusades and the crusader states can be found in the nature of the Byzantine Empire and the ideology which underpinned it, rather than in any generalised hostility between the peoples. Taking recent scholarship into account, this new edition includes an updated notes section and bibliography, as well as significant additions to the text: new material on the role of religious differences after 1100, a detailed discussion of economic, social and religious changes that took place in 12th-century Byzantine relations with the west, in-depth coverage of Byzantium and the Crusades during the 13th century, new maps, illustrations, genealogical tables and a timeline of key dates. Byzantium and the Crusades is an important contribution to the historiography by a major scholar in the field that should be read by anyone interested in Byzantine and crusader history"-- Provided by publisher Jonathan Harris' new edition of the CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title, Constantinople, provides an updated and extended introduction to the history of Byzantium and its capital city. Accessible and engaging, the book breaks new ground by exploring Constantinople's mystical dimensions and examining the relationship between the spiritual and political in the city. This second edition includes a range of new material, such as: * Historiographical updates reflecting recently published work in the field * Detailed coverage of archaeological developments relating to Byzantine Constantinople * Extra chapters on the 14th century and social 'outsiders' in the city * More on the city as a centre of learning; the development of Galata/Pera; charitable hospitals; religious processions and festivals; the lives of ordinary people; and the Crusades * Source translation textboxes, new maps and images, a timeline and a list of emperors It is an important volume for anyone wanting to know more about the history of the Byzantine Empire "Constantinople was the capital of the Byzantine Empire from 330 until 1453 and was renowned for the beauty and grandeur of its churches and palaces. The extant Byzantine monuments of Istanbul include more than 20 churches, most notably Haghia Sophia, as well as the remains of the land and sea walls, the Hippodrome, imperial palaces, commemorative columns, reservoirs and cisterns, an aqueduct, a triumphal archway and a fortified port. They are described here in chronological order and in the context of their times, through the political, religious, social, economic, intellectual and artistic developments in the dynasties that came to power during the turbulent Byzantine age. A major part of the architectural and artistic heritage of Byzantium, these monuments also serve as a link between the world of classical antiquity and the new epochs of early modern Europe and the Ottoman Empire." Gripping, Powerfully Intelligent, And Wonderfully Entertaining, Gibbon's Classic Account Of Rome Ranks As One Of The Literary Masterpieces Of Its Age. Attacked For Its Enlightened Views On Politics, Sexuality, And Religion, The First Volume Was Nonetheless Found On Every Table And Received Widespread Acclaim For Its Elegant Prose. Famously Skeptical About Christianity, Unexpectedly Sympathetic To The Barbarian Invaders And The Byzantine Empire, Constantly Aware Of How Political Leaders Often Achieve The Exact Opposite Of What They Intend, Gibbon Captured Both The Broad Pattern Of Events And The Significant Revealing Detail. This Abridged Edition Compresses Thirteen Turbulent Centuries Into A Single Epic Narrative, And Features A Foreword, Introduction, And Extended Appreciation By Hugh Trevor-roper, An Esteemed Professor Of History At Oxford University. "This is the story of the Byzantine monuments of Istanbul, the city known in the medieval period as Constantinople and in classical antiquity as Byzantium. Constantinople was the capital of the Byzantine Empire from 330 until 1453 and was renowned for the beauty and grandeur of its churches and palaces. The extant Byzantine monuments of Istanbul include more than twenty churches, most notably Hagia Sophia, as well as the remains of the land and sea walls, the Hippodrome, imperial palaces, commemorative columns, reservoirs and cisterns, an aqueduct, a triumphal archway, and a fortified port. They are described here in chronological order and in the context of their times, through the political, religious, social, economic, intellectual, and artistic developments in the dynasties that came to power during the turbulent Byzantine Age

"Surrounded by a garland of waters" on the narrow straits of the Bosporus dividing Europe and Asia, Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople, has been an unrivaled locus of cultural exchange since its beginnings as the Greek colony Byzantium. In its more than twenty-six centuries of existence the city has survived countless natural and political catastrophes, foreign conquests, and dynastic upheavals, enduring fantastic changes in religion, language, political status, and name. Despite these onslaughts of time, a vibrant local character and spirit have abided. This fascinating history of the city from its foundation to the present is a guide for the curious traveler as well as an evocation of an illustrious past.

• Also included is a comprehensive gazetteer of all major monuments and museums
  

This book is about the Byzantine monuments of Istanbul, most notably, Haghia Sophia. The remains of the land and sea walls, the Hippodrome, imperial palaces, commemorative columns, reservoirs and cisterns, an aqueduct, a triumphal archway, a fortified port, and twenty churches are also described in chronological order in the context of their times. These "monuments" are viewed in relationship to the political, religious, social, economic, intellectual and artistic developments of the Byzantine dynasties. In the spring of 1453, the Ottoman Turks advanced on Constantinople in pursuit of an ancient Islamic dream: capturing the thousand-year-old capital of Christian Byzantium. The outcome of the siege, decided in a few hours on 29 May 1453, is one of the great moments of world history. This narrative history piece recreates those moments. A major part of the architectural and artistic heritage of Byzantium, these monuments also serve as a link between the world of classical antiquity and the new epochs of early modern Europe and the Ottoman Empire."--Jacket Istanbul's history has managed to retain its own identity. This book captures the flavour of daily life as well as court ceremonial and intrigue. It also includes a gazetteer of major monuments and museums. An abridged edition of Edward Gibbon's THE HISTORY OF THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, which compresses thirteen turbulent centuries into a single epic narrative. Tiivistelmä: Konstantinopolin vaikutus keskibysanttilaisessa arkkitehtuurissa (843-1204) : typologinen ja morfologinen näkökulma provinsiaalisella tasolla Hanna-riitta Toivanen. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 231-256) And Index. English, With Summaries In Finnish And German; Includes English Abstract. This abridged edition of Edward Gibbon's 'The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' compresses 13 turbulent centuries into a single epic narrative Tells the story of Istanbul from its founding to the present day, with an emphasis on daily life in the city throughout the centuries Jonathan Harris. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 259-276) And Index.