The Constantinian inheritance -- Emperors, usurpers and frontiers -- Towards a Christian empire -- Old Rome, new Rome -- Generalissimos and imperial courts -- Barbarians and Romans -- Church and state, piety and power -- Anastasius and the resurrection of imperial power -- Rome's heirs in the west -- Urban continuity and change -- Economic patterns -- Justinian and the Roman past -- Justinian and the Christian present -- Justinian and the end of antiquity.