Pax

War and Peace in Rome's Golden Age

By: Tom Holland

Narrated by: Tom Holland

From an award-winning historian, the definitive account of the golden age of Rome—an ultimate superpower at the pinnacle of its greatness

“Rarely has the distant past seemed so vividly alive.” —Financial Times

The Pax Romana has long been shorthand for the empire’s golden age. Stretching from Caledonia to Arabia, Rome ruled over a quarter of the world’s population. It was the wealthiest and most formidable state in the history of humankind.

Pax is a captivating narrative history of Rome at the height of its power. From the gilded capital to realms beyond the frontier, historian Tom Holland shows ancient Rome in all its glory: Nero’s downfall, the destruction of Jerusalem and Pompeii, the building of the Colosseum and Hadrian’s Wall, the conquests of Trajan. Vividly sketching the lives of Romans both ordinary and spectacular, from slaves to emperors, Holland shows that Roman peace was the fruit of unprecedented military violence.

A stunning portrait of Rome’s glory days, this is the epic history of the Pax Romana.

Tom Holland delivers like a Triumphant Caesar once again…

This addition to his narrative of Roman history is a masterpiece of storytelling, even after having knowledge of the main events of this period, Tom Holland will make connections that delight and surprise. If one is interested in the era of Rome at its climax, look no further, this book belongs in the pantheon of great Roman histories.

Perfect Appetizer for Gibbon

I'm about to tackle Edward Gibbon's massive The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire and thought I'd listen to this as a primer. So glad I did. Tom Holland is one of my favorite narrative historians, and this is a worthy successor to Rubicon and Dynasty. The book covers the Year of the Four Emperors, the Flavian dynasty, Trajan, and Hadrian. I highly recommend.

Stunningly Good, Of Course!

Pax is a delicious journey through the apex of Roman power, all the while hinting at its eventual downfall and transformation.I could not have enjoyed this book more, simply because the author, Tom Holland, provided the deft and thoughtful narration. This book is so good and comprehensive, I will be listening to it more than once. The author helps us see clearly, the foundational aspects of Roman civilization and its culture, as recognizable and yet wildly different from our own. Exquisitely written and narrated.

Outstanding

I loved the detail about the trends and morals of the Roman Empire. I am looking forward to future books on the empire and early Rome as well!

Brilliant

Thrilling account. Beautifully written. Holland does it again. Highly recommended to anyone interested in history.