This book is a concise narrative of Byzantine history from the time of Constantine the Great (AD 306) to the fall of Constantinople in 1453.
* Argues that Byzantium was important in its own right but also served as a bridge between East and West and ancient and modern society.
* Uses the chronological political history of the empire as a narrative frame.
* Considers social and economic life and the rich culture of the Byzantine Empire.
* Integrates visual documents, such as photographs of art, architecture, and implements from daily life.
* Makes the latest scholarship accessible to a wide audience.
* Includes a chronological list of emperors, a glossary and maps.