The Byzantine EmpireByCharles William Chadwick Oman, M.A.,F.S.A.Fellow of All Souls College, OxfordAuthor of“Warwick the Kingmaker,” “The Art of War in theMiddle Ages,” Etc.Third EditionT. Fisher Unwin, Ltd.Adelphi Terrace, LondonNew York: G. P. Putnam's Sons1902Fifty years ago the word “Byzantine” was used as a synonym forall that was corrupt and decadent, and the tale of the East-RomanEmpire was dismissed by modern historians as depressing andmonotonous. The great Gibbon had branded the successors ofJustinian and Heraclius as a series of vicious weaklings, and forseveral generations no one dared to contradict him.Two books have served to undeceive the English reader, themonumental work of Finlay, published in 1856, and the moremodern volumes of Mr. Bury, which appeared in 1889. Sincethey have written, the Byzantines no longer need an apologist,and the great work of the East-Roman Empire in holding backthe Saracen, and in keeping alive throughout the Dark Ages thelamp of learning, is beginning to be realized.The writer of this book has endeavoured to tell the story ofByzantium in the spirit of Finlay and Bury, not in that of Gibbon.He wishes to acknowledge his debts both to the veteran of thewar of Greek Independence, and to the young Dublin professor. [viii]Without their aid his task would have been very heavy—with itthe difficulty was removed.The author does not claim to have grappled with allthe chroniclers of the Eastern realm, but thinks thatsome acquaintance with Ammianus, Procopius, Maurice's“Strategikon,” Leo the Deacon, Leo the Wise, ConstantinePorphyrogenitus, Anna Comnena and Nicetas, may justify hishaving undertaken the task he has essayed.OXFORD,February, 1892