Rome and Persia in Late Antiquity
Neighbours and Rivals

A narrative history, with sourcebook, of the turbulent relations between Rome and the Sasanian Empire.

Beate Dignas (Author), Engelbert Winter (Author)

9780521614078, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 September 2007

364 pages, 18 b/w illus. 14 maps
22.8 x 15.2 x 2.2 cm, 0.596 kg

'… this is an excellent textbook introduction to Roman-Persian relations of the Late Antique period for specialist and non-specialist readers alike. It will, undoubtedly, prove popular in introductory and survey courses. The book's main virtue is that it makes accessible a wide range of sources in translation and does so in a very readable and user-friendly manner with repeated cross-references between the two parts of the book.' Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies

The foundation of the Sasanian Empire in Persia in AD 224 established a formidable new power on the Roman Empire's eastern frontier, and relations over the next four centuries proved turbulent. This book provides a chronological narrative of their relationship, supported by a substantial collection of translated sources illustrating structural patterns. The political goals of the two sides, their military confrontations and their diplomatic solutions are discussed, as well as the common interests between the two powers. Special attention is given to the situation of Arabia and Armenia, to economic aspects, the protection of the frontiers, the religious life in both empires and the channels of communication between East and West. Considerable attention is also paid to exploring the role played by the Sasanians in the history of the ancient Near East. The book will prove invaluable for students and non-specialists interested in late antiquity and early Byzantium.

Part I. Narrative: 1. Rome and Iran to the beginning of the third century AD
2. Rome and the Sasanian Empire - a chronological survey
Part II. Sources and Contexts: 3. Political goals
4. Warfare
5. Military confrontations
6. The diplomatic solutions
7. Arabia between the great powers
8. Shared interests - continuing conflicts
9. Religion - Christianity and Zoroastrianism
10. Emperor and King of Kings
11. Exchange of information between West and East
Part III. Appendices.

Subject Areas: Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], Asian history [HBJF], European history [HBJD]