Social Stratification in Late Byzantium

This study of late Byzantine social structure is notable for the way the author has abandoned any preconceptions about the character of Byzantine society. These mostly derived from either comparing Byzantium or assimilating it to other societies: the Medieval West in particular. Instead, the author confronts Byzantium on its own terms, thus allowing it to emerge in all its bewildering complexity. If it does not fit any obvious patterns so much the better. Christos Malatras is to be congratulated on a very considerable achievement, which is founded on the mastery of an impressive range of sources. -- Michael Angold, University of Edinburgh