A masterful narrative of the Middle Ages; when religion became a weapon for kings all over the world. From the schism between Rome and Constantinople to the rise of the T’ang Dynasty; from the birth of Muhammad to the crowning of Charlemagne; this erudite book tells the fascinating; often violent story of kings; generals; and the peoples they ruled. In her earlier work; The History of the Ancient World; Susan Wise Bauer wrote of the rise of kingship based on might. But in the years between the fourth and the twelfth centuries; rulers had to find new justification for their power; and they turned to divine truth or grace to justify political and military action. Right thus replaces might as the engine of empire. Not just Christianity and Islam but the religions of the Persians and the Germans; and even Buddhism; are pressed into the service of the state. This phenomenon―stretching from the Americas all the way to Japan―changes religion; but it also changes the state. 4 illustrations; 46 maps
#2784192 in Books W. W. Norton Company 1978-10-17Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x 1.00 x 5.00l; .84 #File Name: 0393008959354 pagesGreat product!
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy Melodee ElliottThis book helps me greatly in researching my fiction book.3 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Historical AccountBy Dr. W. G. Covington; Jr.Zuckerman is detailed in providing a description of what life in eighteenth century New England was like. His starting place is a description of the value placed on community. He writes; "A man could remain comfortably in colonial Massachusetts only as long as his actions and his ideas coincided with those of his neighbors." In its founding; we're told that provincial governors viewed themselves as servants of the Crown. The transition to autonomous government was gradual. "It represented the very real choices of thousands of men around the colony upon the advent of the royal charter of 1691" Zuckerman tells us.Throughout this book; documentation is provided that shows the evolution of thought as the decision-makers made transitions. This book sheds light on a given time and place in a very readable manner.
