During the last two centuries of its existence the Byzantine Empire was politically in a state of utter decadence, but, in contrast, its intellectual life has never before shone so brilliantly. In these four lectures the author discusses the leading scholars of the period, their erudition, their intense individualism, their controversies and their achievements.

The Hon. Sir James Cochran Stevenson Runciman CH (7 July 1903 – 1 November 2000) — known as Steven Runciman — was a British historian known for his work on the Middle Ages. His best known work is his three volume A History of the Crusades (1951-54).