The Byzantine Empire [2 volumes]

An indispensable resource for investigating the history of the Byzantine Empire, this book provides a comprehensive summary of its overall development as well as its legacy in the modern world.The existence and development of Byzantium covers more than a millennium and coincides with one of the darkest periods of European history. Unfortunately, the Empire's achievements and brightest moments remain largely unknown except to Byzantine scholars. Through reference entries and primary source documents, this encyclopedia provides essential information about the Byzantine Empire from the reign of Diocletian to the Fall of Constantinople.The reference entries are grouped in eight topical sections on the most significant aspects of the history of the Byzantine Empire. These sections include individuals, key events, key places, the military, objects and artifacts, administration and organization, government and politics, and groups and organizations. Each section begins with an overview essay and contains approximately thirty entries on carefully selected topics. The entries conclude with suggestions for further reading along with cross-references., A selection of primary source documents gives readers first-hand accounts of the Byzantine world.Presents reference entries grouped in topical sections for fundamental, objective information about a wide range of subjects related to the Byzantine EmpireIncludes a timeline with succinct information about major events in Byzantine historyFeatures an introduction and overview essays at the beginning of each topical section on the history of the Byzantine Empire Includes primary source documents that give readers first-hand accounts of the Byzantine worldDirects the reader to additional sources of information via entry bibliographies and an end-of-work bibliography