Ravenna, a Study: Enriched edition. Exploring Ravenna's Byzantine Mosaics and Cultural Significance

by Edward Hutton

"Ravenna" is a historical and cultural study by Edward Hutton, first published in 1913. The book explores the city of Ravenna in Northern Italy, which served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire in the 5th and 6th centuries. Hutton delves into the city's art, architecture, and history and provides a detailed account of the mosaics that adorn the city's buildings. The book is considered a classic in Italian travel writing and continues to be popular among history and art enthusiasts.

159 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2019

About the author

Edward Hutton (1879-1965) was a British author of travel books and various Italian subjects.

During World War II he aided in the protection of Italian historical sites.

Reviews

[Hon Lady Selene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great - I read it for the detailed accounts of the mosaics in Ravenna and got much more on Ravenna's history (particularly the Ancient History chapters) and its historic monuments and palaces that can still be visited today - here's to soon looking at you, Mausoleo di Galla Placidia.

The illustrations by Harald Sund are to die for.

The problem: Hutton is Catholic and he wants his readers to be aware of this on almost every page, - it almost feels mentally deranged to insist upon Catholicism (or any other religion) as the OnlyThingThatMattersInLife based on his own retelling of a meeting between Pope Leo I and Attila the Hun where, according to Hutton, it was only through the power of Catholicism that Leo convinces Attila not to attack Italy.

This continues throughout the book, Hutton purposefully ever so slightly altering historical events in favour of Catholicism, completely forgetting the purpose at hand being a study on Ravenna - I almost feel sorry for him as he sounds quite senile.