The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders
George E. Demacopoulos
In other words, none of these successor states enjoyed the same degree technological advantage (militarily, economically, and agriculturally) over their neighbors that original Romans possessed. [...]each medieval reincarnation Rome lacked internal cohesion to absorb eventual dynastic challenges when its most dynamic leaders passed. [...]the rise Islam forever altered political dynamics Mediterranean offered a direct counter any claim unchallenged dominance in geographic space Empire. Given scope project (and book's length), it is perhaps surprising Heather never really engages what one might call discourse Romanitas-in words artistic, literary, cultural glue-by which Ostrogoths, Byzantines, or Carolingians connected civilizations Roman model and, doing so, laid restoration empire.