The Phenomenon of Two Romes in Late Antiquity. Review of Grig, L., & Kelly, G. (Eds). (2012). Two Romes: Rome and Constantinople in Late Antiquity. Oxford Studies in Late Antiquity. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press

Abstract

The review describes the conceptual and content side of the collection of articles, mainly authored by English-speaking specialists that focus on the development of Rome and Constantinople between the 4 th and the 6 th century. The reviewer emphasizes the topicality of the collection as related to the subject of research. He also points out the arguable nature of issues that have to do the infrastructure formation of early Constantinople and the development of historical typography of Rome in late antiquity. Special attention is paid to the articles that have a new interpretation of the social and political aspects of the two capitals of the late antique society and their social influence on the conservation of structures originating from the classical polis and the western civitas as societies of free citizens enjoying full rights.