Rome and Persia Audiobook By Adrian Goldsworthy cover art

Rome and Persia

The Seven Hundred Year Rivalry

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Rome and Persia

By: Adrian Goldsworthy
Narrated by: Mark Elstob
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The epic rivalry between the ancient world’s two great superpowers

The Roman empire was like no other. Stretching from the north of Britain to the Sahara, and from the Atlantic coast to the Euphrates, it imposed peace and prosperity on an unprecedented scale.

Its only true rival lay in the east, where the Parthian and then Persian empires ruled over great cities and the trade routes to mysterious lands beyond. This was the region Alexander the Great had swept through, creating a dream of glory and conquest that tantalized Greeks and Romans alike. Tracing seven centuries of conflict between Rome and Persia, historian Adrian Goldsworthy shows how these two great powers evolved together. Despite their endless clashes, trade between the empires enriched them both, and a mutual respect prevented both Rome and Persia from permanently destroying the other.

Epic in scope, Rome and Persia completely reshapes our understanding of one of the greatest rivalries of world history.

©2023 Adrian Goldsworthy (P)2023 Basic Books Ancient Iran Middle East Military Rome Ancient History Ancient Greece
Comprehensive History • Compelling Tale • Excellent Narration • Informative Content • Balanced Judgment
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One of my favorite authors on one of the most important periods of our time. Very informative and the reader does an excellent job as well highly recommended.

He does it again

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Great book for history buffs.

Author keeps a consistent theme of emphasizing the relationship bwtween the two great empires as  "limited objectives and limited war". Author admits there are nearly zero sources for Parthian/Sassanid side and just a few from Roman side, but the book is still very informative to complement the reader's other history knowledge.

For the audio book, the first chapter of chronology lists of kings and emperors needs a pdf page supplement. This would be much better received than listening to an impossibly long list and would provide a visual spelling of names that are spoken throughout the rest of the book.

Great Book for History Buffs

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Once you get past the chronology (which doesn’t read aloud particularly well) and the reader’s pronunciation (which frequently leaves something to be desired), this is a compelling tale of two great empires. I found it to be interesting, well-paced (after the start of the book), and even-handed. Recommended to lovers of ancient history,

Another excellent work by Goldsworthy

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Really excellent and detailed narrative of the relationship between Rome and Persia from late Republican period up to the fall of Sassanian Empure to Muslim conquest. Narrator was generally but mispronunciations were somewhat frequent.

Great overview of vast and important period of history

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A lengthy and detailed analysis of an interesting relationship between two empires that existed for an incredibly long period of time. Well written and an enjoyable listen.

History repeats itself

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Covers the 700 year coexistence of two massive empires in a story often overlooked in the histories of Rome. Famous characters me and go -- Pompeii, Julius Caesar, Crassus, Mark Antony, Heraklius and the Eastern Empire generals and Emperors, not mention the many Seleucid, Parthian and Sassanian rulers. I really enjoyed this book.

Excellent Narrative, Excellent Reader

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Great explanation of Roman political interaction & intrigue with contiguous (and other) tribes, countries, provinces. But expect not “pilum” through an “oculus”.

“Soldier of Rome” for collegians.

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Very well written book from an authoritative source. I wish I would've read this book in person as it feels more like reading a textbook than a novel. The perspective and chronology of events is very strong, but I felt myself wanting more for a linking of the overall significance within the story of the Romans & Persians. But I suppose this is more of myself wanting to fill the gap than what the author is comfortable of providing. Would definitely recommend if wanting to expand your interest in Roman/Persian relations and how an ancient superpower handled diplomacy with a near peer.

Solid listen

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Goldworthy again shows himself to be in command of the facts of history and able to make balanced judgment of the results and significance. I learned much from this book.

Excellent history of two great empires in conflict

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Excellent except for the lack of maps. Professor could have provided a pdf with maps. All know the locations of general areas (Egypt, Constantinople, Arabia, (modern) Armenia; but we don’t know Roman borders at different times or the routes of armies. This is an odd omission for such an accomplished author. I would have rated higher with maps.

MAPS NEEDED

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