Byzantium survived for 800 years, yet its dominions and power fluctuated dramatically during that time. John Haldon tells the story from the days when the Empire was barely clinging on to survval, to the age when its fabulous wealth attracted Viking mercenaries and Asian nomad warriors to its armies, their very appearance on the field enough to bring enemies to terms. In 1453 the last emperor of Byzantium, Constantine XII, died fighting on the ramparts, bringing to a romantic end the glorious history of this legendary empire.
Author Biography
John Haldon is Professor of Byzantine History at the University of Birmingham. His research focuses on the history of the early and middle Byzantine period, and on medieval state structures across the European and Islamic worlds. He has published many books and articles, including 'Byzantium in the Seventh Century' (Cambridge, 1997), 'Warfare, State and Society in the Byzantine World' (London, 1999) and 'Byzantium: A History' (Stroud, 2000).
