{"title":"Kevin Lygo","description":"\u003cp\u003eKevin Lygo offers a compelling exploration of history and culture, weaving vivid narratives that bring past civilizations to life. His work, such as \u003cem\u003eThe Emperors of Byzantium\u003c\/em\u003e, delves into the profound influence of art and power in shaping human stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders can expect richly detailed accounts that combine scholarly insight with engaging storytelling, perfect for those fascinated by the intersections of \u003cstrong\u003earts \u0026amp; culture\u003c\/strong\u003e and historical legacy.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-emperors-of-byzantium-by-kevin-lygo-9780500297995","title":"The Emperors of Byzantium","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA compelling and vivid narrative history of one of the founding civilisations of the modern world, the Byzantine empire, evocatively told through the lives of its 92 emperors.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBased in the great city of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), the Byzantine empire was one of the most successful states of the Middle Ages. The continuation of the Roman empire, it ruled over a vast terrain straddling Europe and western Asia from the fourth to fifteenth centuries. Yet its history remains largely unfamiliar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis chronicle by Byzantine expert Kevin Lygo brings this majestic and turbulent period to life through the lives of its emperors: a role that encompassed being head of state, supreme military commander, and God's representative on earth. These rulers, who include well-known figures like Constantine the Great and Justinian I, and a number of extraordinary women such as Irene of Athens and Zoe Porphyrogennete, combined both ruthless usurpers as well as soaring intellectuals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut they all left their mark upon the modern world with the establishment of the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith, the creation of a visual template for Christian art, and magnificent monuments that include the cathedral of Hagia Sophia, the mosaics of Ravenna and the architectural wonder that is Mount Athos.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout, Lygo paints vivid portraits of the entire Byzantine cast, with tales of political survival, religious devotion, sexual intrigue and artistic brilliance. This is a humanising portrayal of more than ninety individuals whose rule profoundly impacted the lives of millions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Emperors of Byzantium\u003c\/i\u003e offers readers an engaging exploration of this fascinating era in history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46833625596140,"sku":"9780500297995","price":34.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/b663156cb333885ab21c5f63b7bbece3.jpg?v=1758487034"},{"product_id":"the-emperors-of-byzantium-by-kevin-lygo-9780500023297","title":"The Emperors of Byzantium","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Emperors of Byzantium\u003c\/em\u003e presents a compelling and vivid narrative history of one of the founding civilizations of the modern world, the Byzantine empire, evocatively told through the lives of its 92 emperors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Byzantine empire was one of the most successful states of the Middle Ages, ruling over a huge terrain straddling Europe and western Asia for an unrivalled eleven hundred years. Yet its history remains largely unfamiliar. This chronicle brings this majestic yet turbulent period to life through the lives of its emperors: supreme military commander, Head of State and God's representative on earth, no less.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese were the men and women that presided over many of the foundations of the modern world, from the establishment of the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith, to the magnificent artistic heritage of Hagia Sophia and Mount Athos, and the creation of a visual template for Christian art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEach illustrated biographical entry contributes to the story of how Byzantium shaped our art, culture, religious beliefs and justice systems, and the role this extraordinary empire played in halting repeated invasions, allowing the idea of 'Europe' to flourish. Through stories of nobility and petty revenge, of religious devotion and brutal genocide, and of sexual intrigue and artistic brilliance; from soaring intellectuals to illiterate peasants, eunuchs and despots, this is a humanizing portrayal of individuals, whose role impacted the lives of millions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47428246503660,"sku":"9780500023297","price":60.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780500023297.jpg?v=1774766784"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/kevin-lygo.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}