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Gillian Clark.
Late Antiquity: A Very Short Introduction.
Publisher: Oxford University Press.
Series: Very Short Introductions.
Publication due: February 2011.
Size: 174x111mm.
Page count: 152pp.
Illustrations: 15 black and white halftones.

Publisher's recommended price
Paperback ISBN 9780199546206, £7.99

Description:

Late antiquity: decline or transformation, conflict or interaction?

Late antiquity is the period (c.300-c.800) in which barbarian invasions ended Roman Empire in Western Europe by the fifth century and Arab invasions ended Roman rule over the eastern and southern Mediterranean coasts by the seventh century.

Asking 'what, where, and when' Gillian Clark presents an introduction to the concept of late antiquity and the events of its time. Not only a period of cultural clashes, political restructurings, and geographical controversies, Clark also demonstrates the sheer richness and diversity of religious life as well as the significant changes to trade, economy, archaeology, and towns. Encapsulating significant developments through vignettes, she reflects upon the period by asking the question 'How much can we recognise in the world of late antiquity?'

Readership: General readers with an interest in ancient history, students of ancient history/medieval history, classics, philosophy, archaeology, history or art and theology.

Contents:
1: What and when is late antiquity?
2: Running the Empire
3: Law and welfare
4: Religion
5: What shall we do to be saved?
6: Barbarism
7: Bronze elephants: classical and Christian culture
8: Decisive change?
Chronology