The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Justinian

This book introduces the Age of Justinian, the last Roman century and the first flowering of Byzantine culture. Dominated by the policies and personality of emperor Justinian I (527–565), this period of grand achievements and far-reaching failures witnessed the transformation of the Mediterranean world. In this volume, twenty specialists explore the most important aspects of the age including the mechanics and theory of empire, warfare, urbanism, and economy. It also discusses the impact of the great plague, the codification of Roman law, and the many religious upheavals taking place at the time. Consideration is given to imperial relations with the papacy, northern barbarians, the Persians, and other eastern peoples, shedding new light on a dramatic and highly significant historical period.

• Introduction to pivotal time period that can be used in the classroom • Richly illustrated, with maps, plans, and full bibliography • Fresh interpretations of many topics

1. The age of Justinian and its legacy Michael Maas; 2. Economy and administration: how did the Empire work? John Haldon; 3. Political theory in the Christian-Roman state Charles Pazdernik; 4. The Empire at war A. D. Lee; 5. Justinian and the barbarian kingdoms Walter Pohl; 6. The churches of Italy and Imperial authority during the reign of Justinian Claire Sotinel; 7. Relations with Persia and the East Geoffrey Greatrex; 8. The background to Islam Fred M. Donner; 9. Jews in the Age of Justinian Nicholas de Lange; 10. The plague and the Mediterranean Peregrine Horden; 11. Gender and the transformation of the social world Leslie Brubaker; 12. Classical cities in the sixth century: survival and transformation Kenneth G. Holum; 13. Constantinople in the Age of Justinian Brian Croke; 14. Did they practice law ‘by the book’ in the Age of Justinian? Caroline Humfress; 15. The legacy of Chalcedon: Christological problems and their significance Patrick Gray; 16. Christian piety and practice Derek Krueger; 17. Art and architecture Joseph Alchermes; 18. Literature and patronage in the Age of Justinian Claudia Rapp; 19. Philosophy in the Age of Justinian: the nature of the cosmos Christian Wildberg.