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Review
Justinian’s long life mirrored that of ancient Rome itself: both rose from lowly origins to supreme power, survived revolt and conquered rivals, crafted laws and erected mighty monuments, only to be worn down by insurgents, invaders, and plagues. In a stunning tour de force, Sarris brings one of history’s most momentous dramas back to life — Walter Scheidel, author of THE GREAT LEVELER
Effortlessly erudite, lucidly written, with a sharp eye for the telling detail, Sarris has written the great biography of the greatest of the Byzantine emperors — Rory Stewart
Spectacularly good: a wonderfully colourful biography of the man who remade the Roman Empire.
Peter Sarris plunges us deep into a world of imperial conflict, religious paranoia, pandemics and climate change, while never losing sight of the extraordinary character at its heart.
Based on decades of scholarship, this is the definitive history of the emperor and his times, and a thrilling testament to the glories of Byzantium
— Dominic Sandbrook, author of WHO DARES WINS
A majestic, sparkling account of one of the most important rulers in history. Meticulously researched, beautifully written, filled with insights, this is modern history writing at its finest — Peter Frankopan, author of THE SILK ROADS
Justinian looms so large in the landscape of the ancient Mediterranean that it is almost impossible to take his measure. Yet Peter Sarris has done so convincingly, offering a lucid and persuasive account of a ruler as invested in the mechanics of government as in waging wars of conquest. A remarkable achievement — Kate Cooper, Professor of History at Royal Holloway and author of QUEENS OF A FALLEN WORLD
Superb and gripping. Epic historical biography that brings the emperor to life with analysis and empathy and a work of scholarship filled with new ideas and revelations — Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of THE WORLD: A FAMILY HISTORY OF HUMANITY
The author’s passion for the subject and his respect for Justinian is clear throughout, keeping the reader engaged until the very end — British Archaeology
A thoroughly absorbing book, notable not only for its mastery of the sources, but its generosity to other scholars working in this flourishing field. It offers a vivid insight into Justinian’s world and the mind of this impatient and notorious man — The Times
I’ve been looking forward to Peter Sarris’s Justinian for a while, and I was not disapoointed. Justinian is perhaps the greatest of the emperors of Rome and New Rome . . . Sarris does his subject proud in a book that wears the author’s learning lightly — BBC History Magazine, Books of the Year
A marvel of scholarship, told with great flair, Peter Sarris’s magnificent biography brings alive their dazzling, doomed world, an age of plagues, riots, cults and climate change — Sunday Times, History Books of the Year
An expert, readable and thought-provoking biography . . . This book is essential reading for anyone curious about later antiquity and will give profit and pleasure to those with broader interests — The Critic
An engrossing account of an extraordinary man . . . the story of a remarkable period, which is still too little known — Evening Standard, Books of the Year
Masterful — Anita Anand
Wonderful — William Dalrymple
Philip de Jong –
Such a good and thought book. I am so surprised to read about these times, I must go there!
Neil S. –
I enjoyed this book very much. Like the author I share an interest in Justinian and the Eastern Roman Empire of the late antiquity/early medieval period. Well researched throughout, what has always struck me about this subject is the amount of contemporary or near contemporary material an historian can refer to, I wish those of us who study early medieval Britain were in the position!
Martin L. Meenagh –
I knew this book (by an old friend) was going to be one of the best in my library. It is the evocative product of vast erudition, but reads lightly and well. Very thoroughly recommended, and certainly the book of the decade so far! If you do have an interest in late antiquity and the early medieval world, I’d also recommend Peter’s other works too.
grumpyveej –
I’ve been fascinated by this emperor since reading about a fictionalised life in a Guy Gavriel Kay novel.Some of it is requiredly dense, all of it is readable. Inevitably I found Procopius his ‘historian’ most interesting.
Martinus –
A very good overview of the life of the Roman Emperor Justisnian. The key events of his reign are well covered as is his legacy.
Amazon Customer –
Excellent book
I liked this book! The author gave a full and right description of the era and the emperor.
Qrz5 LBon –
Muy interesante y recomendable lectura
El libro llegó cuando dijeron, nuevo, en perfecto estado. Su lectura es apasionante y didáctica. Muy bien escrito, con un inglés magnífico y ameno. El precio más o menos razonable.
GeoffDantes09 –
Interesting view into the Byzantine Empire
For those interested in the Byzantine empire and their relation to Rome, Persia, the Catholic Church, and their own people this was a great take. As the Roman Empire progresses there reaches a point where there are just a bunch of emperors with a couple of the rockstars. Constantine and Justinian are two of the personalities that really mark the switch from Rome to Constantinople as the heart of the people who considered themselves Roman. The extensive use of Procopius who wrote well of and negatively of Justinian makes this super enjoyable.