The Transformation of the Roman World AD 400-900 (review)
Harry Rosenberg
Reviewed by: The Transformation of the Roman World, AD 400–900 Harry Rosenberg Leslie Webster and Michelle Brown, editors. 400–900. Berkeley Los Angeles: University California Press, 1997. Pp. 258. $25.00. This handsomely extensively illustrated volume (70 color plates 115 black white illustrations) is a European production about origins “Europe.” As “Co-publication with British Museum Press,” this Press deserves immediate acclaim for what it provides its modest cost. an “all-European” endeavor in historiography, also praise provides: eight “Essays” which deal significant aspects era leading from Later Empire to Early Middle Ages say, course, Late Antiquity. For entire there “Bibliography” (250–55), keyed Essays Exhibitions. An “Index essays” (256–58), includes illustrative material. (8–127) provide assessments political, socio-economic, religious, cultural transformation late antique world. Documentation essays minimal but reflects recent scholarship as seen bibliography. Evangelos Chrysos, Ioannina, Greece, introductory essay, “The empire east west” (9–18) highlights “new reality”—the increasing separation “estrangement” west “increasingly overtook former ties” (18). Professor Javier Arce (Rome) valuable insights into world villa antiquity, “Otium et negotium: great estates, 4th–7th century” (19–32). His exposition contemporary texts decorative art testifies importance his topic. focus on demonstrated succeeding essays, beginning Walter Pohl (Vienna) barbarian successor states” (33–47) notes lasting impact Empire; Max Martin (Munich) “Wealth treasure west, (48–66), insightful summary archaeology allows historian conclude, essay complemented by Stephane Lebecq (Lille) “Routes change: distribution (5th–8th century)” (67–78), pertinent emendation Pirenne thesis; Alain Dierkins Patrick Perin (Rouen) explore “most revealing changes mentality that occurred between antiquity early Ages,” i.e. “attitude toward death” critical Christianity Germanic kingdoms, restricted “Death burial Gaul Germania, 4th–8th (79–95). concluding return broader historical canvas Averil Cameron Oxford applying her expertise to, “Cult worship (96–110), Ian Wood, Leeds, exploring, transmission ideas” (111–27). succinctly characterizes cultic developments component similarity drift two halves Christendom would come “for reasons [which] had much [End Page 485] do custom politics they did belief . .” (110). Wood’s concentrates “centuries are classic Dark Ages—yet too were important ideas, indeed many respects anticipate Carolingian period (111). half dozen short chapters describe Exhibitions held throughout Europe during Each these effectively if complement longer descriptive analysis artifacts exhibited each followed “Catalogue exhibition”: Eutychia Kourkoutidou-Nicolaidou (Thessalonika), “From Elysian Fields Christian paradise” (128–42); Friederike Naumann-Steckner (Cologne), Rhine: changing customs Cologne, 3rd–7th (147–79); Monica Alkemade (Amsterdam), “Elite lifestyle Northern Gaul” (180–93); Bente Magnus (Stockholm), Firebed Serpent: myth religion Migration mirrored through some golden objects” (194–207); Marion Archibald, Brown (all Museum), “Heirs Rome: shaping Britain 400–900” (209–48). There number useful maps, beginning...
Journal of Early Christian Studies