Description
Book SynopsisThis clear and comprehensive text covers the Middle Ages from the classical era to the late medieval period. Distinguished historian John Riddle provides a cogent analysis of the rulers, wars, and eventsboth natural and humanthat defined the medieval era. Taking a broad geographical perspective, Riddle includes northern and eastern Europe, Byzantine civilization, and the Islamic states. Each, he convincingly shows, offered values and institutionsreligious devotion, toleration and intolerance, laws, ways of thinking, and changing roles of womenthat presaged modernity. In addition to traditional topics of pen, sword, and word, the author explores other driving forces such as science, religion, and technology in ways that previous textbooks have not. He also examines such often-overlooked issues as medieval gender roles and medicine and seminal events such as the crusades from the vantage point of both Muslims and eastern and western Christians.In addition to a thorough chronological narr
Trade ReviewIn this updated edition of his magisterial survey of the Middle Ages, John Riddle does the near impossible: improves upon the already excellent first edition. Still comprehensive in scope, the second edition also adeptly balances depth and breadth in the coverage of an important era in history, adding discussion of topics too often ignored in other survey texts, such as eastern Europe and the Islamic states. The addition of full color maps and figures in the second edition adds a vivid visual element to the work, while the incorporation of new interpretations drawn from recent scholarship creates a revised narrative that is insightful. -- Christopher Broadhurst, University of New Orleans
Rooted in the twilight of the Roman empire as its political unity, classical culture, and way of life waned, this well-written volume provides a comprehensive treatment of the Middle Ages. Eminent scholar John Riddle guides us expertly into the heart of these crucial twelve centuries, tracing their continuity while highlighting the extraordinary capacity for innovation in all aspects of European society, religion, politics, culture, science, and technology. -- Maria A. D'Aronco, Università di Udine
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Part I: Slow Transition from Classical to Medieval World Chapter 1: The Transformation of Classical Civilization: The Political and Economic Story through the Fifth Century ce Chapter 2: The Transformation of Classical Civilization: Religion and Culture through the Fifth Century ce Chapter 3: Warriors, Farmers, and Saints in the Barbarian Kingdoms (200–600) Chapter 4: Byzantine Empire: A Struggle for Unity and Regaining Past Glory (451–630) Chapter 5: Islam: The Religion, Politics, and Culture (570–1000) Part II: Central Middle Ages Chapter 6: Chapter 7: The Age of Charlemagne (750–814) Chapter 8: Europe: Disunited, Assaulted, and Saved (814–1024) Chapter 9: New Devotion, Growth of Towns, and Commerce (950–1100) Part III: High Middle Ages Chapter 10: The Era of the First Crusade (1071–1097) Chapter 11: The Renaissance of the Twelfth Century Chapter 12: The Flowering of the Middle Ages (ca. 1150–1300) Part IV: The Transition from the Medieval to Modern Periods Chapter 13: Falcons, Swords, Occam’s Razor, and Germs: From Bouvines to the Black Death (1214–1347) Chapter 14: Conformity, Creativity, and Authority (1350–1500) Chapter 15: The Medieval Twilight in Europe and Western Asia: Decay and Discovery Epilogue Chronology 1: Roman Empire to 500 Chronology 2: 500 to 1500 Index About the Author
