Beginning in 69AD a year that saw four Caesars in succession rule the empire and ending some
seven decades later with the death of Hadrian Pax presents a dazzling history of Rome at the
height of its power. From the gilded capital to realms beyond the frontier Tom Holland
portrays the Roman Empire in all its predatory glory. Vivid scene follows vivid scene: the
destruction of Jerusalem and Pompeii the building of the Colosseum and Hadrian's Wall the
conquests of Trajan. Dramatically sketching the lives of Romans both ordinary and spectacular
from slaves to emperors Holland demonstrates how Roman peace was the fruit of unprecedented
military violence. 'There's no other historian who can bring the ancient world before the
reader... Riveting from first page to last' Daily Mail 'This is a book for lovers of
traditional grand sweep narrative history' Sunday Times 'Rarely has the distant past seemed
so vividly alive' Financial Times
