The fall of the Western Roman Empire : an archaeological and historical perspective / Neil Christie.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Christie, Neil.

Contributor:

George Clapp Vaillant Book Fund.

Series:

Historical endings

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Rome--History--Empire, 284-476.

Rome.

Rome (Empire).

History.

Rome--History--Germanic Invasions, 3rd-6th centuries.

Rome--Antiquities.

Antiquities.

Excavations (Archaeology)--Europe.

Excavations (Archaeology).

Europe.

Physical Description:

xi, 306 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

London : Bloomsbury Academic, 2011.

Summary:

The Decline of the Roman Empire has been a subject of fascination and debate for centuries. In this original new work, Nell Christie draws on numerous sources, interweaving the latest archaeological evidence, to reconstruct the period's landscape and events. In the process, he rethinks some of historians' most widely held and long-established views: Was the Empire's disintegration caused primarily by external or Internal factors? Why did the Eternal City of Old Rome collapse In the West, while the 'New Rome' of Constantinople endured in the East? What was destroyed and what remained of Roman culture after successive Invasions by Vandals, Goths, Huns and other 'barbarians', and what was the impact of the new Christian religion? As Christie expertly demonstrates, the archaeology of the late Roman period reveals Intriguing answers to these and other questions. Taking an innovative. Interdisciplinary approach that combines traditional historical methods and a unique familiarity with the Empire's physical remnants, he uncovers new aspects of Rome's military struggles, Its shifting geography, and the everyday lives of its subjects.

Written in a clear, accessible style. The Fall 01 the Western Roman Empire Is a perfect Introduction for newcomers to the subject, and essential reading for undergraduate students and specialists in archaeology and ancient history. Book jacket.

Contents:

Chapter 1 The Fall of the Late Roman West: Contexts of Change ad 200-500 8

Introduction 8

The Marcomannic Wars 9

The Third-Century Crisis 14

State Revival and Realignment: Into the Late Empire 20

Constantine's Empire 26

New Conflicts and New Responses: ad 350-95 30

Rome and the West in the Last Century of Roman Rule (AD 395-476) 35

Chapter 2 Defending the Late Roman West: I. Armies, Commanders and Enemies 51

Introduction 51

Armies and Commands 53

Barbarians and the Roman Army 56

The Barbarian/Romano-German Generals 60

Federates and Federate Settlements 64

Allies: Lands and Commands 68

Arms Factories in the West 70

Weaponry and Tactics 73

An Evolving Military Beast 75

Chapter 3 Defending the Late Roman West: II. Frontiers, Forts and Towns 77

Introduction 77

Rome and the Frontiers 77

Working Frontiers: Two Case Studies 79

Extended and New Frontiers 91

Hiding behind Walls? 102

Chapter 4 Towns and Urban Society in the Late Empire 112

Introduction 112

Living in Towns: The Roman Order 114

Late Antique Urbanism 117

Roman Entertainment and Leisure - Fates and Fortunes 130

Changes and Continuities of Urban Spaces 140

Chapter 5 Three Capitals of the West: Rome, Milan, Ravenna 142

Introduction 142

Rome: A Capital in Transition 143

Milan: New Capital, New Role 149

Ravenna: A Christian Capital 183

Charting Power Change 156

Chapter 6 Pagans and Christians in the Late Roman West 156

Introduction 158

Conflict and Loss: Charting the Fate of Non-Christian Cults 159

Elites, Bishops and the Church 170

Christianisations of Space 173

Christianising the Frontier Provinces - Conversions in the North 179

Monks and Pilgrims 188

Christianity Affirmed 190

Chapter 7 Communications, Trade and Land 191

Introduction 191

Trade and Transport I: Land, Maps, Roads 192

Trade and Transport II: Ships, Waterways, Ports 195

Food. Trade and the State 199

Landscape Changes 205

Chapter 8 The Ends of Rome in the West 210

Introduction 210

Sub- and Post-Roman Britain 211

St Severinus in Noricum 216

New Powers on Lost Borders: Bavarians and Moors 218

The Ostrogoths in Italy 220

The New in the Old 222

Conclusions: An Empire Lost and Transformed 225

Introduction 225

An Historical Decline and Fall 225

An Archaeology of Decline? 229

Notes 232

Bibliography 251

Index 296.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [251]-295) and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the George Clapp Vaillant Book Fund.

ISBN:

9781849663373

1849663378

9780340759660

0340759666

9781849660310

184966031X

OCLC:

745363044