Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe by Judith Herrin
Edward M. Schoolman
Reviewed by: Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible Europe by Judith Herrin Edward M. Schoolman Princeton. Princeton University Press, 2020. Pp. xxxvii + 537. ISBN: 978-0-691-15343-8 There are many ways to locate the city Ravenna. Geographically, it rested at southern edge where wide Po valley met Adriatic in northern Italy. Politically, was central late Roman empire and its immediate successors Italy, serving as capital for both Ostrogothic kingdom and, more than two hundred years, Byzantine exarchate before finally being seized Lombards (if only temporarily). Into Middle Ages, this past made a desired location on royal itineraries age Carolingians. Culturally, recipient imperial significant local patronage early guises, leading constructions some best-preserved churches period, resplendent their glittering mosaics, but also site production other mobile items, exemplified illuminated Gothic bibles one hand, texts like anonymous eighth century Cosmography other. In Europe, acknowledges multiple positions city, while locating Ravenna an integral node much wider context connecting history broader transitions from world into differentiated medieval Europe. Despite broad stokes that entails, masterfully ties together details make book compelling. thirty-seven chapters, neatly subdivided smaller sections sprinkled with full color plates, she touches Ravenna's frequently role historical events, including cultural city. Her analysis ultimately showcases utility understanding fortunes place lens viewing larger patterns history. While periodization general scope match Herrin's 1989 The Formation Christendom, volume nevertheless represents entirely different approach execution. is, fact, nothing quite volume. Its focus could fitting companion Deborah Mauskopf Deliyannis's Late Antiquity, which centered material built environment. It stands own way trace development Mediterranean reign Constantine Charlemagne. pulls major figures Theodoric Justinian, is equally adept weaving activities Popes, bishops, Exarchs; religious disputes Arianism, Three Chapters Controversy, Iconoclasm; even lives soldiers, monks, priests, Goths, workers land who appear (often once) church rich collection preserved papyri parchment documents. She taps relatively obscure sources uncover unlikely connections, Cosmographia composed around 700 ce scholar "travelled" through literature revealing now-lost books maps available during these so-called "dark ages." Designed readership, would serve ideal [End Page 317] classroom, perhaps version course long Antiquity or parallel version, "From Charlemagne." With clear organization, short chronological breadth, point balance between traditional narratives Ages "West," encompass wider, multi-cultural perspective highlight contributions Empire More broadly speaking, transition "modes" antiquity those work here satisfying elasticity, moving tightly bound confines field vision relate how political changes rippled sea. As writing review, has...
Journal of Late Antiquity