Late Antiquity : A Very Short Introduction

Oxford Very Short Introductions

Late antiquity: decline or transformation, conflict or interaction? Late antiquity is period (c.300 - c.800) in which invasions ended the Roman Empire in western Europe by the fifth century and Arab invasions ended Roman rule over the eastern and southern Mediterranean coasts by the seventh century. Asking 'what, where, and when' Gillian Clark presents an introduction to the concept of late antiquity and the events of its time. Not only a period of cultural clashes, political restructurings, and geographical controversies, Clark also demonstrates the sheer richness and diversity of religious life as well as the significant changes to trade, economy, archaeology, and towns. Clark reflects upon the relationship between the ancient and the modern and considers the legacy and significance of the period today.