Collapse and Recovery of the Roman Empire

by Grant,Michael

• ISBN13: 9780415173230
• ISBN10: 041517323X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-03-31
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

In the third century A.D., the Roman Empire was on the brink of collapse. Yet miraculously the Empire recovered and continued, in the west, for another two hundred years, in the east, for far longer. InThe Collapse and Recovery of the Roman Empire,esteemed classical historian Michael Grant examines this puzzling chapter in Western history. Although this period of Roman history is often discussed, there are no adequate discussions to explain why the Empire did not disintegrate--all indications seemed to lead to its demise. In his clear, concise style, Grant analyzes the collapse through the succession of emperors, the impact of the Germans and the Persians and sheds new light on the reasons for the recovery of the Empire by revealing the emergence of strong emperors, the reconstitution of the army, new developments in finance and coinage, as well as the impact of state religion. Lively and accessible,The Collapse and Recovery of the Roman Empireoffers a fresh look at thepower and endurance of the Roman Empire.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations	vii	(2)
List of emperors	ix	(1)
Maps	x	(7)
Introduction	xvii
PART 1 Collapse	1	(20)
1 The succession of emperors	3	(13)
2 The Germans	16	(3)
3 The Persians	19	(2)
PART 2 Recovery	21	(34)
4 Strong emperors	23	(12)
5 The army reconstituted	35	(4)
6 Diocletian	39	(5)
7 Coinage and finance	44	(5)
8 State religion	49	(6)
PART 3 Away from politics	55	(12)
9 Philosophy and personal religion	57	(5)
10 Heliodorus and the Aethiopica	62	(5)
Epilogue	67	(2)
Appendix	69	(26)
Notes	95	(14)
Sources	109	(3)
Bibliography	112	(4)
Index	116