A compelling and vivid narrative history of one of the founding civilizations of the modern
world the Byzantine empire evocatively told through the lives of its 92 emperors. The
Byzantine empire was one of the most successful states of the Middle Ages ruling over a huge
terrain straddling Europe and western Asia for an unrivalled eleven hundred years. Yet its
history remains largely unfamiliar. This chronicle brings this majestic yet turbulent period to
life through the lives of its emperors: supreme military commander Head of State and God's
representative on earth no less. These were the men and women that presided over many of the
foundations of the modern world from the establishment of the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith
to the magnificent artistic heritage of Hagia Sophia and Mount Athos and the creation of a
visual template for Christian art. Each illustrated biographical entry contributes to the story
of how Byzantium shaped our art culture religious beliefs and justice systems and the role
this extraordinary empire played in halting repeated invasions allowing the idea of ?Europe'
to flourish. Through stories of nobility and petty revenge of religious devotion and brutal
genocide and of sexual intrigue and artistic brilliance from soaring intellectuals to
illiterate peasants eunuchs and despots this is a humanizing portrayal of individuals whose
role impacted the lives of millions.
