Case for East Roman Studies

Anthony Kaldellis is a Professor of Classics at the University of Chicago, and one of the foremost experts on the east Roman empire (formerly known as Byzantium).

• IntroductionChapter 1. RIP ByzantiumChapter 2. Contenders for a New Field NameChapter 3. Implications for Allied FieldsConclusionsFurther Reading

Anthony Kaldellis argues for the abolition of the field of Byzantine Studies and its replacement by a new field of East Roman Studies. The latter will not only bear the epithet ‘Roman’ instead of ‘Byzantine’, but will cover a much longer period, from the time of Augustus until at least the fall of the last East Roman outposts in the 15th century. [...] [T]he prospect of a unified Roman imperial history is exciting, and in this regard Kaldellis’ proposition can be seen as an important first step towards a new narrative of Roman history. Perhaps an approach similar to the one of John Bury [1899] that focuses on the continuous history of the Roman empire (neither of the Romans, nor of its Eastern half), would better serve this new narrative. [...] Whether or not one is convinced by it, the book under review puts forward a bold proposition which questions the very foundation of our scholarly discipline. Kaldellis invites his readers to reflect on a range of key aspects of East Roman history, terminology, methodology, and periodization. Such reflections can only have a positive impact on research. I highly recommend reading The Case for East Roman Studies.