IT WAS AN AGE OF GLORY…
…BUT ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD.
‘A riveting account of Justinian’s reign that challenges traditional consensus’ Kirkus Reviews
The sixth-century AD witnessed a remarkable turn-around in the Roman Empire’s fortunes. Justinian’s general, Belisarius, recovered North Africa and Italy from the barbarians. An impressive new law code was inaugurated that would endure to this day. Astonishing building projects, like the iconic Hagia Sophia, rivalled the great monuments of Old Rome.
But rather than restoring Rome’s greatness did Justinian in fact pave the way for its collapse less than a century after his death? Drawing on the contemporary sources, especially those of the chronicler Procopius, Nick Holmes reveals a darker side to Justinian – a ruthless opportunist, whose costly conquests and misguided priorities drained the empire’s wealth and critically weakened its army.
This is the fourth volume in Nick Holmes’ series on the Fall of the Roman Empire. The first three books trace the empire’s story from the ‘crisis of the third century’, through its reinvention by Constantine as a Christian state, and then onto the fall of its western half. A fifth volume will tell of its rapid demise in the seventh century AD, when the first Islamic Caliphate became the new superpower of western Eurasia.
Praise for Nick Holmes’ Books
‘A talent for storytelling’ Kirkus Reviews
‘Clear, succinct and compelling’ AudioFile Magazine
‘Perhaps the best historical story-teller alive’ Amazon Reviewer
Andy Woods –
As someone who has a significant interest in Roman history and possesses an insatiable passion for the subject. This series of books by the wonderful, Nick Holmes have been both refreshing and illuminating. I’ve read countless books on Rome from the time of the Republic through to the 2nd century. Yet I’ve always had a fascination and been intrigued by the Eastern Roman Empire and the Fall of the West. The first book which focused primarily on the Crisis of the Third Century was a tumultuous period in Roman history, and one that I had been desperately seeking a book on. Unfortunately, the options for books on the latter part of the Roman Empire (West) is lacking, and extremely sparse regarding the East.I’ve devoured each one of these books. The prose is so captivating and exciting. At no point in reading the four books in this terrific series was I ever bored. The way Nick Holmes presents the events of the period is as engaging and as much of a page turner as any good novel. I am very interested in the recent theories of climate change’s impact on the Empire that Nick presents throughout his books for example. Along with the socio-economic impact of these theories.I’ve read numerous books by excellent historians on Rome, but Nick Holmes has become my favorite author on the subject. After finishing Justinian’s’ Empire, I am already eagerly anticipating the next book in the series. I’d recommend this to absolutely anyone with an interest in the Roman Empire. There are so many important people who have been neglected by history that have their incredible stories told. Not to mention that Belisarius finally gets the credit he duly deserves for the extraordinary general he was. His name should be spoken in the same breath as Julius Caesar, Vespasian, Marcus Agrippa, Fabius and Scipio Africanus.
Matthew Worrall –
Well written and masterfully researched. Couldn’t put it down.