- Paperback: 176 pages
- Publisher: The History Press LTD (23 Feb 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 075241478X
- ISBN-13: 978-0752414782
- Product Dimensions: 24.8 x 17.2 x 1.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,293,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Based on a range of new archaeological research (most of it carried out by the author herself), this book breaks new ground. It examines changes in the Western provinces in the fourth and early fifth centuries, which ultimately resulted in the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. First, the author investigates regional variation within the late Roman West: important differences are found between the heavily militarised provinces of the frontier and those furthur west, and the general shift of focus from one area to another is clearly visible as the fourth century comes to its end. In combination with other burial evidence, the movement of people can be traced through the objects they were wearing, and the activity of the Roman military on the frontiers can be investigated through badges of office - the crossbow brooch and the belt set. Even in the fourth century, the increasing importance of the Germanic-style culture is becoming apparent, corresponding to the breakdown of much Roman-inspired culture in the fifth century. All these strands are skillfully brought together in Dr Swift's new account of the end of the Roman West and its legacy to the post-Roman world. Ellen Swift studied archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology in London, where she was also awarded her PhD. She has worked on a variety of archaeological sites in Britain and abroad. This is her first full-length book.
From the Back Cover
Based on a range of new archaeological research (most of it carried out by the author herself), this book breaks new ground. It examines changes in the Western provinces in the fourth and early fifth centuries, which ultimately resulted in the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.
First, the author investigates regional variation within the late Roman West: important differences are found between the heavily militarised provinces of the frontier and those further west, and the general shift of focus from one area to another is clearly visible as the fourth century comes to its end. In combination with other burial evidence, the movement of people can be traced through the objects they were wearing, and the activity of the Roman military on the frontiers can be investigated through badges of office - the crossbow brooch and the belt set. Even in the fourth century, the increasing importance of the Germanic-style culture is becoming apparent, corresponding to the breakdown of much Roman-inspired culture in the fifth century.
All these strands are skillfully brought together in Dr Swift's new account of the end of the Roman West and its legacy to the post0Roman world.
Ellen Swift studied archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology in London, where she was also awarded her PhD. She has worked on a variety of archaeological sites in Britain and abroad. This her first full-length book.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Dr. Swift has written an excellent book that gives the reader a whole new approach at establishing changes in the last phase of the Roman Empire in Western Europe. Illustrated with colour photos and enhanced by many maps, this great book by Ellen Swift shows the changing patterns of distribution of several typical items that made up the Late Roman dress. Ranging from the Cross-bow brooches that were so typical of the military uniform to Belt-sets, Bracelets and Beads, Swift attempts to show the change of status and popularity of these items, and the reasons behind that. Her conclusions draw a picture of changing population and military concentrations, but also a new look at fashion. Though not without risk, this method is a new approach compared to the usual way of comparing finds with the available historical information, though the author is very aware of the dangers of this new approach. The only fault I could find with the book is its very limited bibliography and its lack of notes, which make it next to useless for the scholar. However, this is the publisher's (Tempus) doing, not the author's.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Swift's account of the decline of a decadent civilisation is fascinating as well as eerily contemporary....this is a brilliant book, lucidly presented and accessible to the general reader. I recommend it.
0 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This blew me away. Unlike most Roman archaeologists in this country, Swift can sustain an argument at the same time as making it exciting and provocative. The last chapter is a triumph....
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