Byzantium. The name evokes grandeur and exoticism--gold, cunning, and complexity. In this unique book, Judith Herrin unveils the riches of a quite different civilization. Avoiding a standard chronological account of the Byzantine Empire's millennium--long history, she identifies the fundamental questions about Byzantium--what it was, and its special significance for us today.</p>
Bringing the latest scholarship to a general audience in accessible prose, Herrin focuses each short chapter around a representative theme, event, monument, or historical figure, and examines it within the full sweep of Byzantine history--from the foundation of Constantinople, the magnificent capital city built by Constantine the Great, to its capture by the Ottoman Turks.</p>
She argues that Byzantium's crucial role as the eastern defender of Christendom against Muslim expansion during the early Middle Ages made Europe--and the modern Western world--possible. Herrin captivates us with her discussions of all facets of Byzantine culture and society. She walks us through the complex ceremonies of the imperial court. She describes the transcendent beauty and power of the church of Hagia Sophia, as well as chariot races, monastic spirituality, diplomacy, and literature. She reveals the fascinating worlds of military usurpers and ascetics, eunuchs and courtesans, and artisans who fashioned the silks, icons, ivories, and mosaics so readily associated with Byzantine art.</p>
An innovative history written by one of our foremost scholars, Byzantium reveals this great civilization's rise to military and cultural supremacy, its spectacular destruction by the Fourth Crusade, and its revival and final conquest in 1453.</p>
1 有用 Donald 2009-07-09 02:20:20
Too popular for my tastes, but nonetheless useful as an intro.
1 有用 今天休息 2021-01-11 10:44:43
本来是先发现的中文版,结果一看原著用英文写的那果断还是读英文比较方便。作者写的明白晓畅,读到最后Ottomans都包围君士坦丁堡了皇室还在搞内斗,然后又没钱买大炮,真替他们着急😂看完之后能比较切实地感受到《权力的游戏》中超级多的拜占庭元素😈
0 有用 才没有 2019-08-18 08:43:11
比简史增加了很多细节,很多有趣的quote,不过看到后面还是觉得有点困……大概是旅行结束了没有足够动力的关系。我很喜欢导语里面的那个工人来问她拜占庭的故事……
0 有用 人在鹭洲 2020-08-20 05:51:11
说是给建筑工人写的,但并不是一板一眼的简明通史,写法上更类似玛丽比尔德的SQPR。如果对拜占庭和它的时代一点了解都没有,很可能会觉得有些散漫无章。入门还是推荐诺里奇的一卷本拜占庭史。
0 有用 後東塾III 2021-10-08 16:53:38
Clear and comprehensive.
0 有用 後東塾III 2021-10-08 16:53:38
Clear and comprehensive.
1 有用 今天休息 2021-01-11 10:44:43
本来是先发现的中文版,结果一看原著用英文写的那果断还是读英文比较方便。作者写的明白晓畅,读到最后Ottomans都包围君士坦丁堡了皇室还在搞内斗,然后又没钱买大炮,真替他们着急😂看完之后能比较切实地感受到《权力的游戏》中超级多的拜占庭元素😈
0 有用 人在鹭洲 2020-08-20 05:51:11
说是给建筑工人写的,但并不是一板一眼的简明通史,写法上更类似玛丽比尔德的SQPR。如果对拜占庭和它的时代一点了解都没有,很可能会觉得有些散漫无章。入门还是推荐诺里奇的一卷本拜占庭史。
0 有用 才没有 2019-08-18 08:43:11
比简史增加了很多细节,很多有趣的quote,不过看到后面还是觉得有点困……大概是旅行结束了没有足够动力的关系。我很喜欢导语里面的那个工人来问她拜占庭的故事……
1 有用 Donald 2009-07-09 02:20:20
Too popular for my tastes, but nonetheless useful as an intro.