In this innovative study, Patrick Geary rejects traditional conceptions of European history to present the Merovingian period (ca. 400-750) as an integral part of Late Antiquity. Mapping the complex interactions of a volatile era, he formulates an original interpretation not only of Merovingian history but of the Romano-barbarian world, tracing the Romanization of barbarians and the barbarization of the Romans which ultimately made these populations indistinguishable.
Review
"Clear and concise survey."--James Grier, Yale University"An excellent guide to the Merovingian world, especially for my beginning graduate students!"--Coor, University of Arkansas"A history of the transformation of the Roman provincial world....All archaelogists will be grateful to the author for this large and beautifully produced work, since there has been no comparable publication...Geary is a gifted synthesizer."--Classical World"A marvelous synthesis and competent survey of Northern Europe after the German tribes entered the Roman Empire...Geary wrote this clearly and simply which makes it valuable for both an undergraduate and graduate audience."--Louis Haas, Duquesne University"Full of insights, related in clear and concise form, in a manner likely to appeal to and enlighten undergraduates. It will arouse a new interest in a period relatively neglected, even by medievalists."--Karen Nicholes, State University of New York, Oswego"This is a reliable and readable synthesis that makes good sense of recent research."--T. N. Bisson, Harvard University"A fine and important book. Geary really does know the literature in all the relevant languages. He is not merely a gifted synthesizer; he is one of the research scholars in the field. I would adopt it; I have been waiting for such a survey."--Edward Peters, University of Pennsylvania"An excellent survey of the Merovingian period. The...integration of perspectives from political, social, and religious history along with material culture and archaeology explains Merovingian civilization clearly and ...brings the Merovingians to life."--Karen Gould, University of Texas at Austin"The first book of its kind in English...very good. It steers a sensible course through minefields of controversy."--Thomas F.X. Noble, University of Virginia"A very revealing yet succinct account of a topic long considered confused if not irrelevant. Geary's synthesis is based upon firm control of early medieval sources and modern scholarship."--Harry Rosenberg, Colorado State University"Superb. The best summary of the migration period and the transformation of the Gallo-Germanic world I have seen. Recommended highly for all classes in early Europe, from Medieval surveys to advanced levels. It can be read with profit by those working in European archaeology!"--Bruce Kraig, Roosevelt University"Offers a synthesis of the period of great originality and explanatory power....It goes without saying that the book will become a part of my syllabi, for both graduate and undergraduate courses. It was a great pleasure to read...and it will be a great pleasure to teach it in the years to come."--Barbara Rosenwein, Loyola University of Chicago
About the Author
Patrick J. Geary is at University of California, Los Angeles.
In this innovative study, Patrick Geary rejects traditional conceptions of European history to present the Merovingian period (ca. 400-750) as an integral part of Late Antiquity. Mapping the complex interactions of a volatile era, he formulates an original interpretation not only of Merovingian history but of the Romano-barbarian world, tracing the Romanization of barbarians and the barbarization of the Romans which ultimately made these populations indistinguishable.
Review
"Clear and concise survey."--James Grier, Yale University"An excellent guide to the Merovingian world, especially for my beginning graduate students!"--Coor, University of Arkansas"A history of the transformation of the Roman provincial world....All archaelogists will be grateful to the author for this large and beautifully produced work, since there has been no comparable publication...Geary is a gifted synthesizer."--Classical World"A marvelous synthesis and competent survey of Northern Europe after the German tribes entered the Roman Empire...Geary wrote this clearly and simply which makes it valuable for both an undergraduate and graduate audience."--Louis Haas, Duquesne University"Full of insights, related in clear and concise form, in a manner likely to appeal to and enlighten undergraduates. It will arouse a new interest in a period relatively neglected, even by medievalists."--Karen Nicholes, State University of New York, Oswego"This is a reliable and readable synthesis that makes good sense of recent research."--T. N. Bisson, Harvard University"A fine and important book. Geary really does know the literature in all the relevant languages. He is not merely a gifted synthesizer; he is one of the research scholars in the field. I would adopt it; I have been waiting for such a survey."--Edward Peters, University of Pennsylvania"An excellent survey of the Merovingian period. The...integration of perspectives from political, social, and religious history along with material culture and archaeology explains Merovingian civilization clearly and ...brings the Merovingians to life."--Karen Gould, University of Texas at Austin"The first book of its kind in English...very good. It steers a sensible course through minefields of controversy."--Thomas F.X. Noble, University of Virginia"A very revealing yet succinct account of a topic long considered confused if not irrelevant. Geary's synthesis is based upon firm control of early medieval sources and modern scholarship."--Harry Rosenberg, Colorado State University"Superb. The best summary of the migration period and the transformation of the Gallo-Germanic world I have seen. Recommended highly for all classes in early Europe, from Medieval surveys to advanced levels. It can be read with profit by those working in European archaeology!"--Bruce Kraig, Roosevelt University"Offers a synthesis of the period of great originality and explanatory power....It goes without saying that the book will become a part of my syllabi, for both graduate and undergraduate courses. It was a great pleasure to read...and it will be a great pleasure to teach it in the years to come."--Barbara Rosenwein, Loyola University of Chicago
About the Author
Patrick J. Geary is at University of California, Los Angeles.