Review: The Eagle and the Lion: Rome, Persia and an Unwinnable Conflict
Adrian Goldsworthy
The book “The Eagle and the Lion: Rome, Persia and an Unwinnable Conflict” by Adrian Goldsworthy is a story of over seven hundred years of rivalry, wars, diplomacy, and political gamesmanship between Rome and the Persian state, which, despite constant conflict, were never able to finally defeat each other. The book was published by REBIS Publishing House.
Goldsworthy takes the reader through seven centuries of history, revealing how the Roman Empire, and subsequently the Parthian and Sassanid states, waged an endless struggle for dominance, prestige, and influence on the border between East and West. With meticulous attention to detail, the author describes political maneuvers, wars, sieges, betrayals, as well as less spectacular but equally important issues—army management, the role of allies, and the functioning of buffer states such as Armenia. His narrative remains accessible despite the vast amount of material. Goldsworthy impartially presents both sides of the conflict, avoiding the European perspective that typically favors Rome over the “exotic East.”
The first thing that catches the eye upon picking up the book is its cover, which makes a striking impression – aesthetically pleasing and elegant. Inside, we find numerous color illustrations, sketches, photographs, and maps that not only enhance the book but, above all, help us navigate the complex, multi-layered world of the Roman-Persian rivalry. The author has written over 500 pages of dense, substantive content; he also includes a carefully considered introduction and a comprehensive summary.
A significant added value of the book is the inclusion of a list of kings and emperors of both empires, which facilitates orientation in the changing dynasties and lines of succession. A timeline of Roman-Persian relations is equally useful.
The only significant drawback, which may bother particularly discerning readers, is the placement of footnotes at the end of the book instead of at the bottom of the pages. With such a comprehensive and detailed work, frequent skipping to the end of the volume can be inconvenient and slows the reading.
In summary, “The Eagle and the Lion: Rome, Persia and an Unwinnable Conflict” is a superb, beautifully produced, and competently written book, one of the best on the relationship between Rome and Persia. It’s essential reading for ancient history enthusiasts, and an excellent, valuable, and inspiring story for anyone interested in the politics of great empires.
