{"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","url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/products\/the-emperors-of-byzantium-by-kevin-lygo-9780500297995","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}