Byzantium
Judith Herrin
A classic book now available on audio
With narration by Phyllida Nash, who gives a captivating account of the legendary empire that made the modern Western world possible
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 what special significance it holds for us today.
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.
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.
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.
Duration - 16h 14m.
Author - Judith Herrin.
Narrator - Phyllida Nash.
Published Date - Sunday, 01 January 2023.
Copyright - © 2007 Judith Herrin ©.
Location:
United States
Description:
A classic book now available on audio With narration by Phyllida Nash, who gives a captivating account of the legendary empire that made the modern Western world possible 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 what special significance it holds for us today. 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. 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. 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. Duration - 16h 14m. Author - Judith Herrin. Narrator - Phyllida Nash. Published Date - Sunday, 01 January 2023. Copyright - © 2007 Judith Herrin ©.
Language:
English
Chapter 1
Duration:00:33:19
Chapter 2
Duration:00:25:07
Chapter 3
Duration:00:28:29
Chapter 4
Duration:00:32:06
Chapter 5
Duration:00:51:07
Chapter 6
Duration:00:30:55
Chapter 7
Duration:00:26:39
Chapter 8
Duration:00:29:27
Chapter 9
Duration:00:43:34
Chapter 10
Duration:00:20:38
Chapter 11
Duration:00:41:19
Chapter 12
Duration:00:34:51
Chapter 13
Duration:00:23:12
Chapter 14
Duration:00:19:36
Chapter 15
Duration:00:34:41
Chapter 16
Duration:00:28:56
Chapter 17
Duration:00:43:15
Chapter 18
Duration:00:21:16
Chapter 19
Duration:00:31:25
Chapter 20
Duration:00:27:03
Chapter 21
Duration:00:22:54
Chapter 22
Duration:00:34:12
Chapter 23
Duration:00:28:05
Chapter 24
Duration:00:27:14
Chapter 25
Duration:00:30:56
Chapter 26
Duration:00:42:48
Chapter 27
Duration:00:51:42
Chapter 28
Duration:00:31:40
Chapter 29
Duration:00:30:51
Chapter 30
Duration:00:47:06