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Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West, 376–568

Guy Halsall author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:20th Dec '07

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Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West, 376–568 cover

An examination of the barbarian migrations and their role in the creation of medieval Europe.

This is a major survey of the barbarian migrations in the west and their role in the creation of early medieval Europe. Drawing on a broad range of historical and archaeological sources, Guy Halsall outlines pre-migration society, the causes and mechanics of movement, and the process of settlement.This is a major survey of the barbarian migrations and their role in the fall of the Roman Empire and the creation of early medieval Europe, one of the key events in European history. Unlike previous studies it integrates historical and archaeological evidence and discusses Britain, Ireland, mainland Europe and North Africa, demonstrating that the Roman Empire and its neighbours were inextricably linked. A narrative account of the turbulent fifth and early sixth centuries is followed by a description of society and politics during the migration period and an analysis of the mechanisms of settlement and the changes of identity. Guy Halsall reveals that the creation and maintenance of kingdoms and empires was impossible without the active involvement of people in the communities of Europe and North Africa. He concludes that, contrary to most opinions, the fall of the Roman Empire produced the barbarian migrations, not vice versa.

'… the rich and complex work of a meticulous, original, and daring historian, … Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West should be read by anyone interested the early middle ages, the historical use of archaeological evidence, theories and practices of ethnicity, and finally, in Roman Empire and its ultimate collapse.' Speculum
'This book is important not only as a systematic statement of important current views on how the last Mediterranean empire of antiquity devolved into a series of recognisably European polities, but also for its impressive fusion of seemingly disparate archaeological and literary/historical materials. A genuinely important contribution to its field, by striving to be accessible to those outside its discipline, this book should contribute beneficially to wider discussions of historical change.' English Historical Review

ISBN: 9780521434911

Dimensions: 218mm x 146mm x 41mm

Weight: 850g

614 pages