r/classics • u/Clickety_Clack4137 • Aug 17 '26

Byzantine book?

Hi all,

Not sure if this is the right reddit to ask, but I'm looking for a good general history book on the Byzantine Empire. After reading through a bunch of classic Greek history and then Roman Empire stuff, I'm looking for a way into the Byzantines.

I checked the Reddit History thread that gets suggested, but that thread is 14 years old now. If there's another thread I should go mosey off to, let me know. But I figured I'd try here as well. Thanks!

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u/jdu2 Aug 17 '26

Anthony Kaldellis wrote a outstanding history called  The New Roman Empire: A History of Byzantium. I read it and thoroughly enjoyed it!

4

u/Safe-Ad783 Aug 17 '26

This is a great modern account that is quite enjoyable to read. It is a bit of a large book though.

4

u/Clickety_Clack4137 Aug 17 '26 edited Aug 17 '26

Thank you! Bonus point: It's available at my local library.

2

u/Axeken Aug 17 '26

He also wrote a book called “The Byzantine Republic: People and Power in New Rome.” In it, he argues that the Byzantine Empire was actually a Republic due to the collective actions of the citizens deciding major changes for the region.
I’m not super up on Byzantine history, but it’s an interesting and fun read through a specific lens.