Histoire du Bas-Empire. Tome 04

This volume offers a vivid portrait of the turbulent final decades of the Roman Empire, zeroing in on the reign of Emperor Valens and the shadowy conspiracies that dogged his court. It sketches a ruler whose paranoia and harsh taxation provoked resentment among the elite, creating a climate where plots could bloom even in the quiet of his gardens. Through detailed accounts of arrests, interrogations, and public punishments, the narrative reveals how political fear reshaped daily life across the empire.

Beyond the palace intrigues, the book follows the empire's external pressures – from the restless Goths and Sarmatians to the rising threat of the Huns – and the desperate diplomatic maneuvers of co‑emperor Valentinian. It also chronicles the persecution of philosophers and the tragic fates of figures such as Maximus and Héliodore, illustrating the cultural strains of a civilization in decline. The author weaves these strands together with references to contemporary sources, making the complex history accessible and engaging for listeners.