A collection of thirteen essays on a variety of topics relating to the intersections of the sacred and the profane in Christianity's first millennium,A collection of thirteen essays on a variety of topics relating to the intersections of the sacred and the profane in Christianity's first millennium, Society and the Holy is written in Brown's usual elegant prose. Some of his conclusions on relics and holy men he would later revise in works such as The Cult of Saints, and one or two of the essays are rather slight, but there is still much here to recommend. Highlights include the essays on Gibbon and Pirenne, in which Brown examines their methodology, scholarship, and impact on later medieval studies....more
Since I can't afford to buy the full three volume set of Norwich's histories, this abridged version will have to do me for now. Though Norwich is forcSince I can't afford to buy the full three volume set of Norwich's histories, this abridged version will have to do me for now. Though Norwich is forced to condense nearly fifteen hundred years of Byzantine history into just under four hundred pages, he does so with aplomb. It's a very orthodox history--politics and emperors, the biggest personalities and the bloodiest wars--with little by way of social or cultural history, which normally wouldn't draw me in so much. But Norwich's prose is clean and effortly readable, and he has an unerring instinct for what makes a good, humourous anecdote. A great canter through Byzantine imperial history; really makes me wish I were in Istanbul (or is it Constantinople? *g*)...more
Really excellent biography of three empresses of Byzantium—Irene, Euphrosyne and Theodora—who ruled over the course of four generations and who wieldeReally excellent biography of three empresses of Byzantium—Irene, Euphrosyne and Theodora—who ruled over the course of four generations and who wielded enormous power and influence during one of the most important periods of Byzantine history. Herrin's scholarship is excellent, balanced and considered, carefully piecing together what information we have about a period of history which is not well known, and her prose is very solid.
The only quibble I have with it is that at times, Herrin lapses from the past to the present tense, presumably in an effort to impart a sense of urgency and drama to the narrative. It's really not necessary; it's distracting, and adds nothing to prose which is already recounting some highly interesting events. Still, that is a minor quibble, and the scholarship more than makes up for it. Highly recommended if you have any interest in Byzantine or medieval women's history. ...more
Loading...
