Rome and Parthia: Empires at War (Hardback)
Ventidius, Antony and the Second Romano-Parthian War, 40-20 BC
Ancient History Rome Pre WWI Military
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Pages: 352
Illustrations: 20
ISBN: 9781526710130
Published: 28th July 2020
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In the mid-first century BC, despite its military victories elsewhere, the Roman Empire faced a rival power in the east; the Parthian Empire. The first war between two superpowers of the ancient world had resulted in the total defeat of Rome and the death of Marcus Crassus. When Rome collapsed into Civil War in the 40s BC, the Parthians took the opportunity to invade and conquer the Middle East and drive Rome back into Europe. What followed was two decades of war which saw victories and defeats on both sides. The Romans were finally able to gain a victory over the Parthians thanks to the great, but now neglected, general Publius Ventidius. These victories acted as a springboard for Marc Antony’s plans to conquer the Parthian Empire, which ended in ignominious defeat. Gareth Sampson analyses the military campaigns and the various battles between the two superpowers of the ancient world and the war which defined the shape and division of the Middle East for the next 650 years.
A very interesting read, entertaining as well as being very informative.
Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)
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This marvellous book provides much needed information on a little-known period of Roman Empire history.
Books Monthly
About Gareth C Sampson
After a successful career in corporate finance, Gareth C Sampson returned to the study of ancient Rome and gained his PhD from the University of Manchester, where he taught for a number of years. He now lives in Plymouth with his wife and children.