Globalisation is not a new thing.  The Roman and Chinese economies were linked by the trade between them, and this trade was significant enough to have an effect on their economies.  Although they weren’t in a direct dialogue with one another, they were aware of each other’s existence and the policies they followed made a

The Byzantine Empire survived the turmoil that had wrecked the western Roman Empire despite having some pretty unimpressive leadership.  Leo was the first emperor to use Greek for his legislation, but had little notable impact on the big picture.  His successor was Zeno who was newly in post when the western Empire was ended.  He

The empire in the West was over.  Italy was now a barbarian kingdom run by Odoacer, an Ostrogothic chieftain.  But we’ll get back to him – first lets look at the early career of a  young upwardly mobile barbarian called Theoderic.  He had been born into the royal family of the Ostrogoths shortly after the

  The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is permeated from beginning to end with the atmosphere of the Enlightenment.  But at the end of the third volume, he comes out and says directly what he believes in. Gibbon wonders whether some unknown threat could arise that would once again destroy the civilisation of

In the late Roman Empire most people were poor.  The state was in the hands of a hugely wealthy elite who called all the shots.  The logic for a religion was inevitable.  The only source of converts was to appeal to people in poverty.  The only source of cash was the government.  The winning formula turned