History of the Byzantine Empire Volume 1: From Constantine to Heraclius (Based Books Exclusive Editions) Paperback – August 6, 2025

VOLUME 1 of 5For the first time in English the complete five volume history:History of the Byzantine EmpireVolume I: From Constantine to Heracliusby Fyodor UspenskyThe first volume of Fyodor Uspensky’s monumental History of the Byzantine Empire explores the foundations of Byzantium, from the Christianization of the Roman Empire under Emperor Constantine the Great to the turbulent reign of Heraclius in the early 7th century. With extraordinary depth and clarity, Uspensky presents the birth of a new Christian civilization that would preserve Roman statecraft, Orthodox faith, and Greek culture for over a thousand years.This volume covers the empire’s political, cultural, and religious transformation in late antiquity. Uspensky examines the rise of Byzantinism as a unique civilizational form, the internal struggles of Orthodoxy against heresies such as Arianism and Monophysitism, the fall of the Western Roman Empire, and the role of key figures like Theodosius the Great, Pulcheria, Justinian I, and Theodora. Rich chapters explore landmark events including the Council of Chalcedon, the Nika Revolt, the construction of Hagia Sophia, and the shifting balance of power with Persia, the Slavs, and other frontier peoples.From the establishment of Constantinople as the “New Rome” to the empire’s internal restructuring under Justinian, this volume offers a sweeping yet detailed account of Byzantium’s emergence as the spiritual and political heir of Rome. Uspensky’s Orthodox perspective, combined with his rigorous scholarship, makes this an essential work for understanding the roots of Eastern Christendom and the early development of the Byzantine world.Whether you're a scholar, student, or general reader of history, this edition offers a powerful entry into the world of Byzantium at its dawn. Read more