This reference work investigates the multifaceted historical, cultural, and religious transformations occurring across Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Near East between the mid-3rd and mid-8th centuries AD. Edited by Oliver Nicholson, the volume compiles contributions from a wide array of international scholars to provide a systematic overview of the era known as Late Antiquity. It utilizes a comprehensive dictionary format to synthesize complex political, social, and theological developments into accessible entries for researchers and students.

Scholars and historians frequently cite this volume as a foundational reference for the study of the transition from the classical world to the Middle Ages. Readers note the academic rigor and the breadth of the entries, which make it a standard resource for navigating the complexities of this historical period.