The Early Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Sixth to the Late Twelfth Century

by John V.A. Fine

Most of what has been written on the medieval Balkans—the area that now encompasses Yugoslavia, Greece, Bulgaria, and Albania— has been little more than a footnote to Byzantine history or has been limited to narrow national histories. The Early Medieval Balkans is the first comprehensive examination of the events of early medieval Balkan history—events that were as important as they are fascinating. The period that John Fine examines was an era of significant demographic, political, and religious change in the region. During this time, native populations were supplemented or replaced by the Bulgars and various Slavic tribes, who were to become the Bulgarians, Serbs, and Croats—ethnic identities that exist to this day. They formed their first states and fought both militarily and politically, and with varying degrees of success, for protection from the domination of Constantinople and each other. Equally important, most of the people of the Balkans were converted to Christianity during this period and came under the religious jurisdiction of either Rome or Constantinople, thus determined which people would be Roman Catholic and which Eastern Orthodox at the time of the Great Schism. This polarity of religious loyalty has persisted into the twentieth century. This thorough and detailed study cuts through many of the myths and assumptions that have pervaded previous histories of the Balkans. It is an important source for those who wish to expand their knowledge of this turbulent period and who wish to broaden their understanding of the region.

Genres: History, Medieval, Nonfiction, Medieval History, European History

376 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Jonfaith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read a large element of this while in Serbia last spring. I grew self conscious and reticent as some close friends drew exception to the erudition, especially if I related that Serbs originally came from Persia, specifically Northern Iran. Equally as unsettling was my pronouncement that the Albanians are the indigenous people of the Balkan Peninsula. Not so cool, Jon.

This volume ends in the early 12C and what we know today as the former YU were then but very unstable entities swaying in the wake of larger forces notably the Byzantines, Hungarians and Venetians. The first of those anchoring powers collapsed, aided by the god fearing crusaders and then the Crescent will begin its long ascent in the next volume.

[Mg · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a topic were objectivity is rare and mythology has ruled for a couple centuries now, Fine has relied on documentary evidence to expose the myths, validate the truths, and acknowledge the unknowns of Balkan history. I find his analysis of what might have actually happened to be sound. Admittedly, this book is academic and may be too dry for readers seeking excitement.

Be cautious with other reviews as no myth of the "greatness" of the various peoples mentioned is left untouched. BTW, the description is not accurate in my opinion.

[Alexandru · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the definitive English language history of the Balkans for the 6th-12th centuries. No other book rivals the level of research and detail provided like John Fine's masterpiece.

The book deals with the history of today's nations of Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Macedonia in the early medieval period. This is a difficult task because there are very few sources and some of them are quite unreliable. Due to his numerous trips in the former Yugoslavia Fine has access to resources written in the local languages by various historians. Whenever there are different opinions on a historical matter Fine presents all of the competing versions and sometimes offers his own opinion while other times he explains that there is simply no way of knowing.

I know there is some controversy due to the paragraphs on the origin of the Serbs, Croats and the Albanians. However, there will always be controversy in the Balkans and John Fine tries to be as objective as possible and presents the arguments in a scholarly manner.

[Lena]

Note to self (and whoever else is interested): You can read this book here, http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id...

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non-fiction little bath read. I read this many years ago, when I was in college and have always been fascinated by the twists and turns of the history – this area found themselves between the Byzantine and Roman Empires and were pushed and pulled between. The psalm verse used in the Orthodox liturgy, “Put not your trust in princes, in sons of man, in whom there is no help. When his breath departs, he returns to his earth; on that very day his plans perish.” has always reminded me of this book

[Victor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid if somewhat dry history, unmarred by nationalist legends masquerading as fact, which causes 1 star reviews in scattered places.

[JD Waggy]

I want to come back to this, but when they say survey, they mean it. I just don't have the time to analyze the geographical pluses of the Balkan peninsula right now as we set up the (what I think to be more interesting) high middle ages--but I really want to finish this, so hopefully I'll be able to over the summer, or something. (As a note to myself, I'm on page 88.)