Why read Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West, 376-568?

Book cover of Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West, 376-568

Book description

This is a major survey of the barbarian migrations and their role in the fall of the Roman Empire and the creation of early medieval Europe, one of the key events in European history. Unlike previous studies it integrates historical and archaeological evidence and discusses Britain, Ireland, mainland Europe and…

Explore

Topics

Genres

European history

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West, 376-568 as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Patrick J. Geary

Author

Guy Halsall has a comprehensive knowledge of the history and archaeology of the early Middle Ages as well as a firm control of all of the centuries of debates and controversies about this period.

He cuts through a lot of the misunderstandings and misinterpretations of this crucial period of history. Often opinionated but never dull, he provides the best general narrative guide to date in English on the transformation of Western Europe.

From Patrick's list on The best books on the end of Antiquity and the early Middle Ages.

David M. Gwynn

Author

To understand the Goths and their importance in western history, we must set them within their broader context. That is the great value of Halsall’s book, which explores in depth the relationship between the Germanic peoples and the Roman Empire and how the barbarian migrations transformed early medieval Europe. This is history on a large scale, as the title suggests, and Halsall ranges widely from Britain to North Africa as he examines how different Germanic groups settled and forged new identities across the Roman west. It is a story in which the Goths played a crucial role, particularly the Ostrogoths…

From David's list on The best books on the Goths of history and legend.