The history that I studied most was Chinese history – that and the late Roman Republic (a high school Latin class taught me more of that than any history course). As you say, actually going back in time would be perilous and probably unpleasant, but in my imagination I suppose I'd like to visit Tang Dynasty China (well before the ruinous An Lu-shan Rebellion). I could visit the Song Dynasty, too, but that was when they invented bound feet for women; even as a male, I wouldn't want to see or experience that.
Byzantine? Have you read Guy Gavriel Kay's novel "Sailing to Sarantium"?
I did Latin at school, too. There is nothing quite like learning a language for getting stuck into its history! There are quite a few moments I would love to see, if I could travel back in time, but I would want some pretty cast-iron guarantees that I could leave whenever I wanted (and wouldn't inadvertently change the future). I guess my ultimate time travel fantasy would be to a port somewhere in South Asia in about the first or second century. There are so many things I would like to check but also so many details that don't matter to the big, structural stories I'm often trying to tell, but that still really interest me.
I haven't read "Sailing to Sarantium"? Would you recommend it?
On my 'to-read' list (which is quite long but I'm always looking for new suggestions) is also some of the Texicalaan series by Arkady Martine, who is both a science fiction author and Byzantinist.
The history that I studied most was Chinese history – that and the late Roman Republic (a high school Latin class taught me more of that than any history course). As you say, actually going back in time would be perilous and probably unpleasant, but in my imagination I suppose I'd like to visit Tang Dynasty China (well before the ruinous An Lu-shan Rebellion). I could visit the Song Dynasty, too, but that was when they invented bound feet for women; even as a male, I wouldn't want to see or experience that.
Byzantine? Have you read Guy Gavriel Kay's novel "Sailing to Sarantium"?
I did Latin at school, too. There is nothing quite like learning a language for getting stuck into its history! There are quite a few moments I would love to see, if I could travel back in time, but I would want some pretty cast-iron guarantees that I could leave whenever I wanted (and wouldn't inadvertently change the future). I guess my ultimate time travel fantasy would be to a port somewhere in South Asia in about the first or second century. There are so many things I would like to check but also so many details that don't matter to the big, structural stories I'm often trying to tell, but that still really interest me.
I haven't read "Sailing to Sarantium"? Would you recommend it?
On my 'to-read' list (which is quite long but I'm always looking for new suggestions) is also some of the Texicalaan series by Arkady Martine, who is both a science fiction author and Byzantinist.
I would recommend "Sailing to Sarantium" very highly. It was my first Guy Gavriel Kay novel, and he subsequently became one of my favorite authors.
Thanks so much! I will add it to the list :)