In their cynicism, closeness to death and philosophy of living for the moment, these Byzantines have a contemporary feel. The dialogue, at times stilted, is now and then wonderfully theatrical. Readers undeterred by the overly ornate prose and long descriptive passages may take to this 11th-century debauch. He also appears as the protagonist in the trilogy The Last Viking (1980) by Poul and Karen Anderson, and in Byzantium (1989) by Michael Ennis, which chronicles. Yet beneath the chic, glittery decadence he rings changes on time-worn themes: the redeeming power of love, lust for power versus statecraft, the conflict between desire and duty.

In the first half of the eleventh century, while Europe lumbered fitfully towards the end of the Dark Ages, the Byzantine Empire stood at the apex of its power. Journalist Ennis, whose first novel this is, elaborates on actual historic events to create a mosaic of conspiracies and betrayals, sexual excess, battle scenes. figure who participated in the power struggles of the Byzantine Empire, where he served incognito as an imperial bodyguard. The gods make mighty him who bows to their yoke. Most of the other characters are plucked from history too, among them vain Empress Zoe and her vacillating, guilt-ridden emperor husband the power-mad monk Joannes, Theodora, Constantine and fiery Maria of the Robes. Read 20 reviews from the worlds largest community for readers. The hero of this long, densely written saga is the dispossessed Viking prince Haraldr Sigurdarson, a real historical figure who participated in the power struggles of the Byzantine Empire, where he served incognito as an imperial bodyguard.

Byzantium michael ennis