Description
Book SynopsisIn this book, McEvoy explodes the myth that the remarkable phenomenon of the late Roman child-emperor reflected mere dynastic sentiment or historical accident. Tracing the course of the frequently tumultuous, but nevertheless lengthy, reigns of young western emperors in the years AD 367-455, she looks at the way in which the sophistication of the Roman system made their accessions and survival possible. The book highlights how these reigns allowed for individual generals to dominate the Roman state and in what manner the crucial role of Christianity, together with the vested interests of various factions within the imperial elite, contributed to a transformation of the imperial image - enabling and facilitating the adaptation of existing imperial ideology to portray boys as young as six as viable rulers. It also analyses the struggles which ensued upon a child-emperor reaching adulthood and seeking to take up functions which had long been delegated during his childhood.Through the phen
Trade ReviewMcEvoy's monograph will be essential reading ... and represents a major contribution to our understanding of one of the great transitional periods in European and world history. * David M. Gwynn, English Historical Review *
McEvoy has produced an impressive analysis that challenges historians to re-evaluate child emperors and the role traditionally assigned to them in destabilizing the western empire. * Richard Flower, Early Medieval Europe *
McEvoy is to be congratulated on producing a fine, clearly-written study which signifcantly advances our understanding of the exercise of political power during an important phase of late Roman history. * A. D. Lee, Journal of Roman Studies *
Table of ContentsPREFACE; ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS; LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS; INTRODUCTION: SPES REI PUBLICAE: THE HOPE OF THE STATE?; PART ONE; PART TWO: HONORIUS; PART THREE: VALENTINIAN III; CONCLUSION; PRIMARY SOURCES; BIBLIOGRAPHY; INDEX
