The Byzantine Empire

Oman, Charles, 1860-1946Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.5

Word count: 509K words
Chapters: 51

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.The Byzantine Empire by Charles OmanAuthor: Oman, Charles, 1860-1946,Language: English, Class: DF: History: General and Eastern Hemisphere: Greece, Release Date: Oct 14, 2011

Editor's review

Charles Oman's The Byzantine Empire is a general history for ordinary readers, released free via Project Gutenberg and classified under Greek and Eastern Hemisphere history. Its value lies in tracing the rise and fall of Byzantium along relatively clear lines: from the empire's continuity and the status of its capital to the intricate interplay of politics, military affairs, and religion, the author seeks to give an overall picture within limited space rather than drown in minutiae. For Chinese readers it can serve as an introductory work to Byzantine history, helping build a chronological framework and basic concepts before turning to more specialized studies. Keep a map and timeline at hand, since the many place names, personal names, and dynastic changes easily confuse a straight linear read. Note that it is an early English general history whose views and phrasing bear the marks of its time and should not be taken as the latest scholarship; no Chinese translation exists, so readers need some ability to read English historical texts. Overall, it suits readers curious about the medieval and Mediterranean world as an overview.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Beginners interested in Byzantine and medieval Mediterranean history
General readers wanting a quick chronological framework of Byzantine history
Those with some English who want practice reading historical texts
Readers who enjoy general-history narrative and want the big picture

Not a good fit for

Specialists needing the latest scholarship and detailed notes
Readers who struggle with English and want a Chinese translation
Seasoned history enthusiasts expecting deep dives or archaeological detail

Reading tips

Prepare a Byzantine timeline and an Eastern Mediterranean map beforehand and consult them as you read.
Take brief notes by chapter, mapping emperors, dynasties, and major events.
Mark unfamiliar place names first and check them after finishing a chapter, so as not to break the rhythm.
Afterward, compare with a contemporary Byzantine history to test and supplement your understanding.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book suitable for complete beginners?

It can serve as an introduction, but it takes some patience. It offers an overall thread rather than simple explanations, and names and places are dense. Learn a little about the late Roman Empire and Constantinople first, and read alongside a map and timeline; it will go much more smoothly.

Are the views in the book outdated?

This is an early English general history; its narrative framework and some judgments bear the mark of the author's era and may differ from contemporary research. It is good for establishing basic lines but should not be the only source; consult newer scholarship for deeper reading.

Do I need to read Roman history first?

You need not read Roman history in full, but knowing the background—the division of the Roman Empire, the founding of Constantinople—helps. Byzantium was closely tied to Roman tradition; if it is entirely new to you, read a few pages of an overview first to reduce obstacles.

Comments

Find this book

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

Oman, Charles, 1860-1946 Author

Charles Oman (1860-1946) was a British historian known for his work on military history. The library holds nine of his works, chiefly the first four volumes of his multi-volume A History of the Peninsular War, covering the years 1807 to 1811 and tracing campaigns, army organization and strategic decisions in chronological order. Other titles, such as The Art of War in the Middle Ages, A.D. 378-1515 and Wellington's Army, 1809-1814, concentrate on European military history, while Warwick, the Kingmaker and A History of England show his interest extending to political and general history. His writing is noted for solid use of sources and clear narrative, setting tactical detail within its political context. Public information on his life and on Chinese translations of his works is limited.