Author Description

The eighth century CE is a period of immense change in the Mediterranean world, yet it has often been treated as a 'dark age' or a transitional period. This book argues that the eighth century was, in fact, a crucial period of transformation, laying the foundations for the medieval world. Chris Wickham examines the political, social, economic, and cultural developments across the Byzantine Empire, the Islamic Caliphates, and the emerging kingdoms of Western Europe, demonstrating the interconnectedness of these regions and the profound shifts that occurred. The Long Eighth Century challenges traditional periodizations and offers a new perspective on the making of medieval Europe.