Great Ages of Man: Byzantium by Philip Sherrard (Color Illustrated Hardcover)

Description

Great Ages of Man: Byzantium by Philip Sherrard is a concise and engaging overview of the Byzantine Empire, one of the most enduring and influential civilizations in history. Sherrard traces the empire’s rise from its ancient Greek roots to its eventual fall to the Ottoman Turks in 1453. Along the way, he explores the empire’s rich cultural, political, and religious heritage.

Sherrard’s writing is clear and accessible, and he effectively conveys the complexity of Byzantine history without bogging down the reader in unnecessary detail. He also does an excellent job of highlighting the empire’s many achievements, including its preservation of classical learning, its development of sophisticated legal and administrative systems, and its creation of stunning works of art and architecture.

One of the strengths of Sherrard’s book is its focus on the Byzantine people themselves. He brings to life the everyday lives of Byzantines from all walks of life, from emperors and aristocrats to peasants and merchants. He also explores the empire’s diverse religious and ethnic makeup, showing how Byzantines were able to maintain a sense of unity despite their differences.

Great Ages of Man: Byzantium is an excellent introduction to the Byzantine Empire for anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating civilization. It is a well-written, informative, and engaging book that will leave readers with a deeper appreciation of the empire’s rich legacy.