The Roman Empire Divided: 400-700 by John Moorhead – textbook style, good on this periodĭaily Life in the Byzantine Empire by Marcus Rautman

The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000 by Chris WickhamĪn excellent modern book covering developments across Europe from the fall of Rome to the end of the Millennium.īyzantium: The Empire of the New Rome by Cyril Mango – similar to Whittow, older, different angles He really cuts through the fripperies to the core of why things happened the way they did. Whittow is easy to read and gets to the point quickly. If you don’t want to wade through every decade with Warren Treadgold but want to cover all the important issues to do with Byzantium then this is the best book I’ve found. The Making of Orthodox Byzantium: 600-1025 by Mark Whittow A little out of date at this point but only a little. The closest thing to the podcast in book form. Good resources section at the end to direct students.Ī History of the Byzantine State and Society by Warren TreadgoldĪ thousand page book that will give you a detailed narrative and end of each era analysis. The most beautifully written book on this page. The World of Late Antiquity by Peter BrownĪ sweeping history of the Roman world from the Antonines to the coming of Islam. You will find some primary sources online here You’ve heard the podcast but would like to read it for yourself

Rulers of the Byzantine Empire from Kibea – modern illustrations of the Emperors Curious for more details It is not up to date with modern scholarship though.Ī History of Byzantium by Timothy E Gregory – closest thing to a high school textbook that I’ve found Norwich has that old fashioned mastery of writing where he can turn a phrase beautifully and make the tale funny and engaging. If you know nothing about Byzantium and want to hear the story then this is where you should begin. There is one on Africa and America and I cannot recommend them highly enough.īyzantium: The Decline and Fall (1081-1453) by John Julius Norwich There are also versions which cover Europe in the Ancient, Modern and early-Modern periods. Its brilliant maps show you the major political developments with a pithy, entertaining narrative alongside them.

However it’s one of my favourite history books and taught me the outline of European history. This is the lightest of books put together like a small booklet. The New Penguin Atlas of Medieval History by Colin McEvedy Beginnersįor someone who hasn’t listened to the History of Byzantium podcast It is a brilliant audio journey that I continue to cherish. It was the inspiration for this podcast and for much of my renewed fascination with the Ancient world. If somehow you are on this page and don’t know what The History of Rome podcast is then go check it out immediately.

Sailing from Byzantium by Colin Wells