From Rome to Byzantium: The Fifth Century AD

The Byzantine Empire, founded by Constantine as the core of power in the East, began to flourish in the fifth century AD, yet its culture and history are still not as well-known as that of the Western and Roman Empire. In From Rome to Byzantium Michael Grant provides a fresh insight into the nature of the Byzantine Empire in the fifth century, and the history of invasion prior to the genesis of the Empire.

In this lavishly illustrated book, Grant examines a comparatively unexplored area and constructs the history of an empire which rivals the former richness and diversity of ancient Rome.
Michael Grant, the noted classical historian, opens his newest book by observing that while most classicists can name the Roman emperors in chronological order, few can say anything about Byzantium other than that it was founded by Constantine in the aftermath of a vision in which Christianity became the official religion of his empire.

Grant does much to educate his colleagues, and his many readers, in this well-written, heavily illustrated book about Byzantium's first century, when Rome fell to German invaders and Constantinople, far to the east, rose. Byzantium, Grant says, was "in many ways a pretty nasty place," thanks to a succession of despotic governments, civil wars, and intrigues.

But it would last a thousand years and leave a mark on world history, still commanding our attention today. --Gregory McNamee