The Middle Ages as they were lived in Eastern Europe are covered in this encyclopedia. An introduction provides an overview of the Byzantine Empire—what life was like, what people wore and ate, how families were formed and cared for, and how the so-called Eastern Empire differed from its Western counterpart.

Over 1500 entries, from Adrianopolis to Zoë, embrace a broad range of topics. Illustrations include genealogies of Byzantine rulers, maps of the Empire at various stages, and photographs of Byzantine buildings and art. A pronunciation guide, a note about transliteration and spelling, genealogical charts, a chronology of emperors, a glossary, a suggested readings list, and an index are also included.