The Byzantine Dark Ages Michael J. Decker.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Decker, Michael J., author.

Series:

Debates in archaeology.

Debates in archaeology

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Byzantine Empire--History--527-1081.

Byzantine Empire.

Byzantine Empire--Civilization--527-1081.

Byzantine Empire--Foreign relations--527-1081.

Byzantine Empire--Politics and government--527-1081.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (257 p.)

Place of Publication:

London Bloomsbury Academic 2016.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

"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."-- Provided by publisher

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

Contents:

Introduction : Dark Ages

Historical overview

Material evidence and meaning

Cities

The Dark Age countryside

The Dark Age economy

New directions

List of Illustrations

Introduction: Dark Ages

1. Historical Overview

2. Material Evidence and Meaning

3. Cities

4. The Dark Age Countryside

5. The Dark Age Economy

6. New Directions

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781472536051

1472536053

9781474219075

1474219071

9781472536068

1472536061

OCLC:

928010984