A reference work that offers an overview of the history of Byzantium, from 285 A.D., when it separated from the Western Roman Empire, to 1461, the year the last Byzantine state was dissolved.

The state and society of Byzantium experienced crises and triumphs throughout their existence, going through periods of decline and recovery. The Byzantine Empire, spanning twelve centuries and three continents, bridged the ancient and modern worlds, shaping and transmitting Greek, Roman, and Christian traditions that remain vibrant in our time.

The book examines the causes of the successes, failures, and remarkable longevity of Byzantium. The author illustrates how political governance, military strategy, cultural attitudes, and social, institutional, and demographic changes in Byzantium, combined with the strengths and weaknesses of its enemies, explain the paradoxes of the long Byzantine history.

This edition brings to light new research findings, particularly regarding social gender, iconoclasm, and environmental history, giving special emphasis to primary sources and including maps and images.