Pax Romana

War, Peace, and Conquest in the Roman World

By: Adrian Goldsworthy

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

Length: 15 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Best-selling author Adrian Goldsworthy turns his attention to the Pax Romana, the famous peace and prosperity brought by the Roman Empire at its height in the first and second centuries AD. Yet the Romans were conquerors, imperialists who took by force a vast empire stretching from the Euphrates to the Atlantic coast. Ruthless, Romans won peace not through coexistence but through dominance; millions died and were enslaved during the creation of their empire.

Pax Romana examines how the Romans came to control so much of the world and asks whether traditionally favorable images of the Roman peace are true. Goldsworthy vividly recounts the rebellions of the conquered and examines why they broke out, why most failed, and how they became exceedingly rare. He reveals that hostility was just one reaction to the arrival of Rome and that from the outset, conquered peoples collaborated, formed alliances, and joined invaders, causing resistance movements to fade away.

©2016 Adrian Goldsworthy (P)2016 Tantor

Superb analysis of Roman "peace"

The author is wonderfully informative of the details of Roman history. His conclusion is equally well balanced and judicious. I already heard it twice and will listen and learn from it again.

Adrian Goldsworthy crushes it again

Excellent book but the narration can be a bit dull at times. Derek Perkins is a good narrator but could stand to liven things up a bit

A good overview

While not going into great detail, step by step, this is a solid broad overview of Rome.
What it was, what it did, etc.
If you're looking for an introduction to the Roman empire, here's your book.
Narrator was great.

The History and Refreshing Commentary We Need

I’ve been fascinated by ancient history most of my life and have consumed numerous
documentaries and books about classical antiquity. However, the bulk of academic work and media produced in the post-War era has a distinctive political bent to it, full of contemporary criticisms and projections on the ancient past. The Romans are on the receiving end of the lion’s share of these barbs.

Take Mary Beard’s documentary series on Ancient Rome produced by the BBC for example. While it is clear Ms. Beard has a passion for the subject matter there are numerous instances where her negative commentary on Romans is infused with modern sensibilities and clearly what I’d consider a contemporary leftist projection on the past. One example that leaps to mind is her bizarre observance that provincial aqueducts were vanity projects and despite a native Italian historian insisting that the streets and graffiti in Pompeii were cleaner than in their modern counterpart, scoffing in his face. The criticisms permeate most modern work as if they’re intended to knock the status of the Romans down several notches. They are often condemnations made in a vacuum and conversely when Rome is shown in a good light it reflects some modern progressive sensibility. The wider world and conditions in it are rarely considered.
Goldsworthy’s book is a counter-point to these perversions of modern academia and the political overlay that has distorted our perceptions of the past.
This is a balanced look at what the Pax Romana was and what it was not. It also speaks to why the Roman Empire was not only successful but enduring and and offsets or neutralizes the claims of academics distorting the past with their political biases knowingly or not.
For me Goldsworthy is the modern authority on the ancient past because of his ability to detach his modern sensibilities and provide broader context. Through his research and narrative the reader is provided a more balanced and nuanced observation on why and how the Roman Empire became the greatest empire the world had ever known.

A Balanced assessment of the Roman Peace

Well written and well read. Makes it clear that human nature never changes. The rules of the game of gaining power and gaining wealth change depending on the era and circumstances in which a society comes into being.

Great Book

If you like the story of the Roman late Republic to high Empire, this is a fantastic book. Goldsworthy goes into sufficient detail of certain subjects without getting lost in the minutiae. And as always, Derek Perkins is phenomenal.

Very Interesting!

If you could sum up Pax Romana in three words, what would they be?

I am glad there are writers like Adrian Goldsworthy for Roman history to read . Very interesting and well narrated as well, so makes it a pleasure to listen to .

Detailed over view of the peace of the empire

A very detailed work and very balanced in its over all scope as well as its occasional micro analyses of Rome during its hay day. I would read all his other work except the fall of Rome ( saving it for last). This read this one second to last. The reader is great as well!

Great read and an enjoyable listen

I really enjoyed listening to this. The narration is easy going and not dry (in my opinion). I must say, as with all chronicling of the romans in general, I felt a sense of loss when approaching the imminent collapse of the empire. With The struggle, civil strife et al to maintain the Roman name, pulls at a tragic heart string. Goldsworthy brilliantly illustrates the implementation of Pax Romana in a way that is accessible to historians and hobbyists alike. My only concern is that it may become muddled or confused to the inattentive listener. A. Goldsworthy is a master of his craft and Pax Romana is a diamond in the rough.

Heavy and Full of Detail

If you could sum up Pax Romana in three words, what would they be?

Deep, Robust, and Detailed

What does Derek Perkins bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It was very helpful to hear the correct pronunciations of the names and terms that I know that I would have struggled with. He also read at a pleasing pace that didn't drag on.

Any additional comments?

This was a very heavy book that took a while to get through. It was not bad though. The subject material was well laid out and balanced. I had to listen to several parts multiple times to fully grasp what was going on. This would be best listened while taking breaks to digest what is being discussed. It is clear that Mr. Goldsworthy is very knowledgeable on the topic and he is excited to share it with the reader. After finishing this book, I was very excited to read more about ancient Rome and some of the key events and characters involved. I will probably go to his book about Caesar next.