The Byzantine Empire was one of the most impressive imperial adventures in history, ruling much of Europe and Anatolia for a remarkable eleven hundred years. Throughout its existence, the Byzantine Empire became a powerhouse of literature, art, theology and learning. But it has also been remembered as an unchanging, bureaucratic state, outdated notions Dionysios Stathakopoulos confidently challenges. Stathakopoulos focuses on the Empire's political, social, economic and cultural history, providing a critical synthesis of cutting-edge scholarship, which is fully up-to-date. Authoritatively written and meticulously researched, this is the perfect companion for undergraduate students and scholars studying the Byzantine Empire as it conveys the complexities of Byzantine history in a solid and accessible way. This revised edition draws from recent scholarship and scholarly developments and boasts a comprehensive bibliography which has been updated with non-English sources.