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The Cambridge Ancient History, 2nd edition #18
The Cambridge Ancient History, Volume 13: The Late Empire, A.D. 337-425
With Volume XIII the second edition of The Cambridge Ancient History moves into fresh territory. The first edition was completed by Volume XII which closed in A.D. 324. The Editors of the new edition have enlarged the scope of Volume XII to include the foundation of Constantinople and the death of Constantine, and extended the series with two wholly new volumes taking the History down to A.D. 600.
Volume XIII, the first of these new volumes, covers the years 337-425, from the death of Constantine to the reign of Theodosius II.
Volume XIII, the first of these new volumes, covers the years 337-425, from the death of Constantine to the reign of Theodosius II.
905 pages, Hardcover
First published December 11, 1997
About the author
Averil Cameron
65 books35 followersDame Averil Millicent Cameron, Professor of Late Antique and Byzantine History at the University of Oxford.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 16, 2017
A colossal enterprise: 900 pages exploring, with impeccable scholarship and to a painstaking level of detail, every facet of the most critical period of the transitional era between Classical Antiquity and the Middle Ages: the period between Constantine I ("The Great"), and the accession to power of Valentinian III in 425, whose reign was marked by the ongoing terminal dismemberment of the Western Roman Empire.
This book is a collection of essays by the most reputable academics in the field, with subjects ranging from the traditional political history of the Empire, to the political and social role and organization of the army, to the evolving relationship between the emperor, the senate, the leading classes, the bureaucracy and the population at large, to the increasingly important role of the church as an economic and social agent, to the economy and its evolution in the different areas of the empire, to the different cultural and religious aspects, and to several other elements of the puzzle that are simply too many to be listed in a book review.
In summary, there is virtually no element in the late Roman society of the period that is not analyzed, in great level of detail, by at least one essay in the book. It is an impressive effort, and an invaluable source of information and study for anybody who is interested in a detailed, academically excellent, thoroughly researched and nuanced 360 degrees immersion into this fascinating period.
I have read several books on the subject, which I consider one of the most fascinating and critical periods in the history of Europe, but I must admit that reading this volume has been a significant learning experience for me, especially with regards to some aspects of the Late Roman Empire (like cultural and social history, economic development, and the evolving structure of the administrative apparatus) that many traditional history books tend all too often to ignore or oversimplify.
The only negative aspects of this book are related to its prohibitive cost to the general public, and the excess weight given (in my personal opinion) to religious aspects of the period, at the expense of other subjects. This is why I have decided to give a 4-star rating to an otherwise excellent book of impeccable and superior scholarship.
Recommended to all hardcore aficionados of this fascinating, complex and fundamental historical period. Definitely not recommended to readers with only a passing interest in Late Antiquity.
This book is a collection of essays by the most reputable academics in the field, with subjects ranging from the traditional political history of the Empire, to the political and social role and organization of the army, to the evolving relationship between the emperor, the senate, the leading classes, the bureaucracy and the population at large, to the increasingly important role of the church as an economic and social agent, to the economy and its evolution in the different areas of the empire, to the different cultural and religious aspects, and to several other elements of the puzzle that are simply too many to be listed in a book review.
In summary, there is virtually no element in the late Roman society of the period that is not analyzed, in great level of detail, by at least one essay in the book. It is an impressive effort, and an invaluable source of information and study for anybody who is interested in a detailed, academically excellent, thoroughly researched and nuanced 360 degrees immersion into this fascinating period.
I have read several books on the subject, which I consider one of the most fascinating and critical periods in the history of Europe, but I must admit that reading this volume has been a significant learning experience for me, especially with regards to some aspects of the Late Roman Empire (like cultural and social history, economic development, and the evolving structure of the administrative apparatus) that many traditional history books tend all too often to ignore or oversimplify.
The only negative aspects of this book are related to its prohibitive cost to the general public, and the excess weight given (in my personal opinion) to religious aspects of the period, at the expense of other subjects. This is why I have decided to give a 4-star rating to an otherwise excellent book of impeccable and superior scholarship.
Recommended to all hardcore aficionados of this fascinating, complex and fundamental historical period. Definitely not recommended to readers with only a passing interest in Late Antiquity.
February 2, 2017
A good, comprehensive review of the Roman Empire in the 88 years after the death of Constantine. Covers the political history of the time, along with military and administrative developments, economic changes, foreign relations, art and culture, and the seismic shift in religious beliefs within the Roman state.
I did not know much about this period going in, and there is plenty of fascinating material here. Specifically, I enjoyed reading about the rise of the Goths and Huns, the rapid ascension of Christianity and its conflict with the established pagan order, and Julian's quixotic quest to reestablish pagan supremacy. As with the other entries in the Cambridge Ancient History series, there is good scholarship on display here, although it can be a bit dry and a few sections tend to drag.
The fourth and early fifth centuries were not the end of antiquity, but an attentive reader can see the Middle Ages beginning to loom in the distance. A good look at an interesting, transitional period. 4.0 stars, recommended.
I did not know much about this period going in, and there is plenty of fascinating material here. Specifically, I enjoyed reading about the rise of the Goths and Huns, the rapid ascension of Christianity and its conflict with the established pagan order, and Julian's quixotic quest to reestablish pagan supremacy. As with the other entries in the Cambridge Ancient History series, there is good scholarship on display here, although it can be a bit dry and a few sections tend to drag.
The fourth and early fifth centuries were not the end of antiquity, but an attentive reader can see the Middle Ages beginning to loom in the distance. A good look at an interesting, transitional period. 4.0 stars, recommended.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews