Donald M. Nicol (1923–2003)

A phrase Prof. Nicol keeps referring to in this book is "The profit and the honour of Venice." The tale he tells is the gradual movement of Venice from a trading post channeling Byzantine goods into Western Europe and taking out timber and slaves in the opposite direction, to a state which is the only hope of the struggling Byzantines for their future existence outside the Ottoman Empire.
Moving from the one status to the other, the "Profit and Honour of Venice" is first and foremost, and is show more the justification of the gradual choking off of any assistance to the Byzantines. The book is a necessary text for the full study of Byzantium's connection with the West. Overall not a happy read, but, well done. Poorly mapped. show less

This slim volume is the first biography of Constantine XI since the late 1800's and is a fascinating read. Not much is known about his early life; we follow him as Despot [=Governor?] of the Morea [medieval name of the Peloponnese] along with 2 of his brothers, then as [technically uncrowned=not in a formal Orthodox ceremony] Emperor. He knows the new Sultan, Mehmet II, will be trying to conquer Constantinople and frantically appeals to the west for help. Only highlights of its Fall are show more given since they've been covered in detail elsewhere. There are interesting sections on his death and the legends that have grown up around him. One states he is only sleeping and one day will awake and take back Constantinople. To me, the main story was told, but the author did have an extra chapter on later Palaiologi; the line became extinct with his brother Thomas's family. And it covered various pretenders. Any Palaeologi left in the world are probably from distant branches of the family. I felt this last chapter was just fluff to pad out the book and not really intrinsic.

Constantine is presented as a tragic though heroic figure. It seems he was dogged by bad luck all through his life in many aspects. His two marriages did not last long with the early death of each wife and he died a widower without issue. Any help from the west was too little, too late.

Very highly recommended. show less

I first encountered the Orthodox monasteries of the Meteora in PLF's Roumeli, in a chapter called "Monasteries of the Air." All of them are atop high, rocky peaks, reminiscent of Bhutanese Buddhist monasteries. They are not nearly as well known as those of Athos. PLF gives a traveller's perspective, Nicol that of an academic.

This is an early work of Nicol, who was a student of Runciman and a distinguished Byzantinist. He approaches the Meteora and its monasteries systematically, beginning show more with introductory chapters on Byyzantine monasticism and the history of Thessaly in the medieval period. Nicol then covers the monasteries and their founders, partly chronologically and partly by foundation. His work is based both on primary sources (mainly early chronicles and travel writers, along with inscriptions) and a solid first-hand knowledge of the region. The descriptions of buildings, etc. sometimes become tedious. A map and some plans would have helped, although there are some fine B&W photographs of the monasteries clinging to their rocky perches. More on the actual lives and spiritual practices of the monks would have been welcome. show less

An interesting discussion of the last Byzantine Ruler. Good use was made of the scanty records of his reign. One very interesting section is the one describing the numerous legends that have accrued around this unfortunate man. There is a geneological table, and several illustrations of sites Constantine was familiar with during his life.