428 AD

open fresh avenues of inquiry."--Choice "In all, the subject matter of 428 AD is genuinely interesting. It has been researched thoroughly and paints a picture of an empire in flux, although religious change certainly takes centre stage as the main trend discussed in most of the chapters. The methodical notes and citation references could provide a valuable research tool for history students of this period."--Bija Knowles, Heritage Key "A good book for anyone with an interest in the Roman Empire, Late Antiquity, and the rise and fall of empires."--A. A. Nofi, Strategy Page "This focus on one year is novel... Traina has done the fifth century a tremendous service by describing it in such a lively and engaging style, and it is hoped that his book will help inspire research on this under-studied period."--Conor Whately, Bryn Mawr Classical Review "This book provides a helpful snapshot of life in the Roman Empire during the empire's declining years."--John Aloisi, Journal of Early Christian Studies "Regarding the lands of today's Muslim world, this is a fascinating panorama of a moment in 'late antiquity.'"--Joseph P. Duggan, Saudi Aramco World "A brilliant essay and, basically, very useful for today."--Jacques de Saint-Victor, Le Figaro "Written in an accessible style, Traina?s book will be read with profit by anyone interested in the transition from classical antiquity to the Middle Ages, whether from a political, cultural, or religious perspective. His nuanced treatment of the interaction between an increasingly beleaguered paganism and an increasingly assertive Christianity in the urban centers and rural backwaters around the Mediterranean should be especially welcome to anyone interested in the history of the Church."--Claudia Rapp, Catholic Historical Review "Traina's book is ... an important statement about the nature of empire in the fifth century. His decision to consider this 'ordinary' year has allowed him to demonstrate, with great clarity and in a lively manner, his primary thesis. In 428 the empire still cohered as a political entity, the reality of which Traina has brilliantly captured in this study. His interpretation should be required reading for students of Roman history who assume, wrongly in my view, that the military defeats of the early fifth century signified the end of empire."--Michele Salzman, Journal of Ecclesiastical History "The publication of this work ... throws light on the important work being carried out not only by the author himself but also by many other scholars in Italy and elsewhere. For this reason at least, Princeton deserves our thanks for broadening the bounds of scholarship on late antiquity."--Geoffrey Greatrex, Historian "While reading it, I felt that I was, indeed, on a grand historical/archaeological tour, led by a first-rate guide. In such a situation one cannot expect to be told about, or remember, everything; but one is brought into contact with areas and topics that one would not normally encounter, and has one's interest sufficiently whetted to encourage a return to some of these in more depth afterwards."--John F. Drinkwater, European Review of History "Giusto Traina's very stimulating book embodies a highly original conception... [T]he result is extremely illuminating."--Tamara Lewit, Ancient East & West