Civilization of the Middle Ages

"No better explanation of medievalism is available to the general reader." --Booklist

A revised and expanded edition of Norman Cantor's splendidly detailed and lively history of the Middle Ages, an essential work of cultural and intellectual history that contains more than 30 percent new material from the original edition.

This comprehensive edition illuminates the forces that shaped a thousand years of Western civilization:

• The Heritage of the Ancient World: Explore the political, social, and philosophical foundations inherited from Rome and Greece, setting the stage for medieval society.
• Rise and Fall of Empires: Analyze the decline of the Roman Empire, the subsequent barbarian invasions, and the emergence of Germanic kingship and the Carolingian world.
• An Age of Faith: Trace the development of religious history from the dawn of Christianity to the papacy of Gregory the Great, understanding the forces that shaped medieval spiritual life.
• The Foundations of Society: Delve into the creation of feudalism, the structure of lordship and vassalage, and the economic realities that defined life for peasants and nobles alike.