The Cambridge History of the Byzantine Empire, Volume One

The April-May-June subscription book for Castalia History

Castalia Library is very pleased to announce that the April-May-June subscription book for Castalia History is THE CAMBRIDGE HISTORY OF THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE c. 500-1492, Volume One, originally published by Cambridge University Press. Due to the absolutely massive size of this book, which is 1,272 pages in the edition published by the Cambridge University Press, we are dividing it into two volumes. The second volume will be a future Castalia History subscription book that will match this one, just as we did with the two Cambridge Medieval History volumes.

A two-volume History set always looks great on the bookshelves.

Byzantium lasted a thousand years, ruled to the end by self-styled 'emperors of the Romans'. It underwent kaleidoscopic territorial and structural changes, yet recovered repeatedly from disaster: even after the near-impregnable Constantinople fell in 1204, variant forms of the empire reconstituted themselves. The Cambridge History of the Byzantine Empire c.500–1492 tells the story, tracing political and military events, religious controversies and economic change. It offers clear, authoritative chapters on the main events and periods, with more detailed chapters on outlying regions and neighbouring societies and powers of Byzantium. With aids such as maps, a glossary, an alternative place-name table and references to English translations of sources, it will be valuable as an introduction to the Eastern Roman Empire for the casual reader and the serious armchair historian alike.

The interior is filled with maps, pictures, and images of Byzantine art.

Shepherd’s work is regarded as the primary historical summary of the 1000-year Byzantine Empire that is, like the great Cambridge Histories edited by J.B. Bury, written by experts in the different periods, but with a broad narrative theme provided by the editor. It has also been well-received by the academic experts.

A fine scholarly accomplishment. The editor's long introduction sets the stage for the contributions that follow. The volume is separated into four segments: the notion of Byzantium, periodization, an appreciation of cultural and societal approaches to Byzantium, and a discussion of sources in translation. The book's three parts correspond to the apex, transformation, and fall of the Byzantine Empire....The book has a fine bibliography, illustrations, and map selection. Recommended.

THE CAMBRIDGE HISTORY OF THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE c. 500-1492, Volume One is going to be a worthy edition to accompany its predecessors that now adorn the shelves of History subscribers around the world. We anticipate a print run of 700. The way the subscription works is that if you subscribe to Castalia History during the months of April, May, and June, you will receive a deluxe, gilded, leatherbound edition of the first volume of THE CAMBRIDGE HISTORY OF THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE when they are printed and bound in approximately 9 to 12 months.