Weird, decadent, degenerate, racially mixed, superstitious, theocratic, effeminate, and even hyper-literate, the Byzantine Empire has long been considered a great curiosity. Voltaire described it as "a useless collection of miracles, a disgrace to the human mind," while for Hegel it was "a repulsive picture of stupidity."

The book "A Cabinet of Byzantine Curiosities" reinforces these old prejudices while simultaneously piquing readers' interest in one of history's most fascinating cultures. Many of the strange stories and trivia gathered here include the political and religious life of Byzantium. Thus, stories of saints, their relics and miracles—from the humorous to the disgusting—abound. The bureaucratic government (from which the term "Byzantine" originates), scandals in royal courts, and the intricate criminal code are well-known. And how could Byzantium exist without the eunuchs, whose indeterminate gender produced bizarre and ludicrous situations in various contexts?

The book also includes chapters on daily life that are equally revealing, such as foods (from aphrodisiacs to fermented fish sauce), games like polo and acrobatics, as well as disturbing views on foreigners and others (e.g., Germans, Catholics, Arabs, dwarfs). But, without overlooking Byzantium's more honored contributions to culture, some of the wonders of Byzantine science and technology are also included, from military (incendiary tools and grenades) to theatrical ("elevating" thrones, roaring mechanical lions) and medical (catheters and treatments, some bizarre). This vast array of historical twists and absurdities sheds vital light on one of the darkest and most orthodox empires in history.

Pages: 248, Dimensions: 13.7x13.7cm