This book collects essays on literary, cultural, religious, artistic, and architectural developments in the sixth century. Most of the book's 22 chapters were originally presented as papers at the ninth conference of the Australian Association for Byzantine Studies in 1995. Four of the papers examine the reign of Roman Emperor Justinian and literary works produced during this period. Other major themes are epics and epigrams, the monastic movement of the sixth century, the works of Ps. Denys, the transformation in religious thinking and practice during the 6th century, and art and architecture of the period. Some specific topics include the Nika Riot, the use of pagan mythology in the Christian Empire, Christian epigrams, Paul the Silentiary, Palestinian monasticism, and Byzantine homiletics. The book contains b&w photos of church interiors, plus maps and charts.