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Blackwell Ancient Lives
Constantine: Dynasty, Religion and Power in the Later Roman Empire
Recently released paperback edition of Barnes' follow-up to "Constantine and Eusebius" (1981). Originally published in hardcover, Blackwell Publishing (2011).
266 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 17, 2023
Як доповнення до якоїсь офіційної біографії Костянтина почитати можна, але починати з цієї книжки я б не рекомендувала, бо автор знайшов вільний постамент, видерся на нього і пішов повчати, що все було не так. І мотиви в Костянтина були не такі, і син таткову репутацію підмочував, а панегирики можна читати некритично, бо ну просто. Читала це все slightly bemused, хоча видно, що автор всі джерела таки старанно перекопав.
August 23, 2017
Having read Barnes' major work "Constantine and Eusebius" (1981), I was eager to read his latest take on the subject considering all the research undertaken by so many in the past thirty-ish years.
Barnes heavily favors Peter Weiss' paper on "The Vision of Constantine" and Kevin Wilkinson's work concerning the pagan poet Palladas (specifically re-dating his work to Constantine's reign rather than later) in order to argue against interpretations suggesting that Constantine was consistently tolerant religiously speaking.
He does a good job of balancing brevity and detail in describing the current knowledge and development of discussion on topics related to the emperor's life and reign. However, as seems to be the case with most modern historians of Constantine, Barnes also de-emphasizes Christianity's influence. Where there was benefit for Constantine or the empire, Christianity is de-emphasized in favor of political genius, extraordinary generalship, or sheer dumb luck. But any negative aspect is somehow connected with Christianity. Historians can't help but acknowledge Constantine's Christianity, but they turn it into a negative thing where it is not simply de-emphasized in favor of non-religious aspects (and there, technically, aren't any during this time period).
Barnes heavily favors Peter Weiss' paper on "The Vision of Constantine" and Kevin Wilkinson's work concerning the pagan poet Palladas (specifically re-dating his work to Constantine's reign rather than later) in order to argue against interpretations suggesting that Constantine was consistently tolerant religiously speaking.
He does a good job of balancing brevity and detail in describing the current knowledge and development of discussion on topics related to the emperor's life and reign. However, as seems to be the case with most modern historians of Constantine, Barnes also de-emphasizes Christianity's influence. Where there was benefit for Constantine or the empire, Christianity is de-emphasized in favor of political genius, extraordinary generalship, or sheer dumb luck. But any negative aspect is somehow connected with Christianity. Historians can't help but acknowledge Constantine's Christianity, but they turn it into a negative thing where it is not simply de-emphasized in favor of non-religious aspects (and there, technically, aren't any during this time period).
May 13, 2014
An insightful study of Constantine. Good for pillaging. Wish I had read this years ago. Mounts convincing arguments against those who see Constnatine's conversion as phony and opportunistic. This book is thick, with a sometimes polemical tone that reflects the infighting of specialists.
May 19, 2022
Why are there so many people with too similar names??!? I can’t lie it got a little confusing with all the constans Constantines and Constantius out there. It didn’t help the references were in the middle of the page and not at the bottom so you had to read the references whilst reading it as a book. Although it probably wasn’t actually meant to be read as a book- I’m just a boring nerd so I read it anyways.
I also thought there would be a bit more about religion, considering it’s got religion in the title- there were parts but not in as great detail as I would have liked. Moreover a lot of the book was dedicated to Constantine’s father and not Constantine himself which was dull I don’t care about him.
Anyways a good grounding in later imperial Roman Empire and interesting in parts, although sometimes a little bit of a slog to get through.
I also thought there would be a bit more about religion, considering it’s got religion in the title- there were parts but not in as great detail as I would have liked. Moreover a lot of the book was dedicated to Constantine’s father and not Constantine himself which was dull I don’t care about him.
Anyways a good grounding in later imperial Roman Empire and interesting in parts, although sometimes a little bit of a slog to get through.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews