The Rome That Did Not Fall: The Survival of the East in the Fifth Century

by Gerard Friell, Stephen Williams

Although one half of the Roman Empire disintegrated in the chaotic fifth century, the most Greek eastern half somehow survived and recovered to be the wealthiest, most powerful, and sophisticated state in the early medieval world, envied and emulated by Charlemagne. The Rome that Did Not Fall provides a comprehensive narrative and analysis of the Roman empire in the east, charting its remarkable growth and development which resulted in the distinct and enduring civilisation of Byzantium. Part 1 - The fourth century background and the separation of the eastern and western empires Part 2 - The invasions of Attila Part 3 - The resources of the east, including the army, the economy, Constantinople and the God-protected state Part 4 - The struggle for stability Part 5 - Stability Attained and the achievements of Anastasius.

Genres: History, Roman History

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Felix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very instructive and interesting. The authors present a very lucid argument as to why the Eastern empire escaped destruction while the Western floundered.

E.g. in the West there was a single generalissimo, aka "patrician" while in the East there were 5 different army groups with competing generals; rather paradoxically, the latter arrangement proved more stable because it worked out as a sort of balance of power and the imperial court was able to play the generals off each other politically without succumbing to outright civil war (at least not too often).

This is the sort of stuff you don't get in the more sweeping surveys and in my opinion the answer to the big riddle (why the West fell and the East did not) lies in such things. The book is full of them.

See also the professional BMCR review which is as always excellent: http://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2000/2000-01...

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know enough about the very early centuries of Byzantium, and now I have a taste. Well written, not too heavy on the drama. Balanced.