Justinian and Theodora

Rating:
Summary: Justinian and Theodora- a good source
Review: Justinian and Theodora is a good book with lots of information. I personally think it should have more about Justinian's early life. It's also just a tad bit confusing at times. Other than that, though, it's a great source for information on not only Justinian and Theodora, but also other well-known and not-so-well-known characters of ancient Rome such as Anastasius, Belisarius, and many others. You would do well to read this narrative if you need information on Justinian and/or Theodora, or are just interested in ancient Rome.

Rating:
Summary: Engaging Portrait of Justinian and his times
Review: This is a very good, readable account of the reign of Justinian and Theodora. The author does a commendable job of providing a concise overview of the political, religious, social and economic issues of this era of the Byzantine empire. Architecture and art are also addressed. The author is clearly knowledgeable about the subject matter and knows how to tell the story in an engaging manner. He is adept at bringing many of the key individuals to life and describing the political, diplomatic and military activities among the Byzantine empire, the Persian empire, and western Europe. A nice set of illustrations and maps are also included. Highly recommended.