The Byzantine Dark Ages

The Byzantine Dark Ages explores current debates about the sudden transformation of the Byzantine Empire in the wake of environmental, social and political changes. Those studying the Byzantine Empire, the successor to the Roman Empire in the eastern Mediterranean, have long recognized that the mid-7th century CE ushered in sweeping variations in the way of life of many inhabitants of the Mediterranean world, with evidence of the decline of the size and economic prosperity of cities, a sharp fall in expressions of literary culture, the collapse in trade networks, and economic and political instability.Michael J. Decker looks at the material evidence for the 7th to 9th centuries, lays out the current academic discourse about its interpretation, and suggests new ways of thinking about this crucial era. Important to readers interested in understanding how and why complex societies and imperial systems undergo and adapt to stresses, this clearly written, accessible work will also challenge students of archaeology and history to think in new ways when comprehending the construction of the past.>

Product details

• Authors: Michael Decker, Michael (University of South Florida) Decker, Michael J Decker, Michael J. Decker, Decker Michael J.
• Assisted by: Richard Hodges (Editor)
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 25.02.2016
• EAN: 9781472536044
• ISBN: 978-1-4725-3604-4
• No. of pages: 256
• Series: Debates in Archaeology; Debates in Archaeology
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Antiquity; Non-fiction book > History > Pre and early history, antiquity; Social sciences, law, business > Social sciences (general); European History, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Archaeology, HISTORY / Byzantine Empire, CE period up to c 1500, Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500, Archaeology by period / region, c 500 to c 1000 CE, European history: medieval period, middle ages, HISTORY / Europe / Medieval, C 500 CE To C 1000 CE, Byzantine Empire