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Pax: War and Peace in Rome's Golden Age Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 877 ratings

The definitive history of Rome’s golden age—an ultimate superpower at the pinnacle of its greatness

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.

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Product details

Listening Length 14 hours and 53 minutes
Author Tom Holland
Narrator Tom Holland
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date September 26, 2023
Publisher Basic Books
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0BWGP8XXN
Best Sellers Rank #10,132 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#3 in Ancient Military History (Audible Books & Originals)
#10 in Ancient & Classical Roman History
#35 in Ancient Roman History (Books)

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
877 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the narrative engaging and enlightening for history enthusiasts. They describe the book as a pleasant read that provides a comprehensive understanding of challenges faced by Romans during the Golden Age. However, opinions differ on the writing style - some enjoy it and appreciate the author's skill, while others find it unreadable and lacking clarity.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

12 customers mention "Narrative style"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the narrative style engaging and enlightening for history enthusiasts. The author weaves together historical events, character sketches, and societal developments to create a vivid tapestry that immerses readers in the subject. They appreciate the inclusion of interesting facts and anecdotes.

"...Adrian Goldsworthy's expertise and storytelling prowess make this book a compelling and enlightening read for history enthusiasts. Highly recommended." Read more

"...I learned tidbits of history throughout, that were of great interest...." Read more

"Very well written, a pleasure to read. Facts and explanation of characters. Fascinating time in history. Now looking for more books by the author." Read more

"...Holland is chock full of interesting facts, factoids and accumulated anecdotes in this book, which benefits from the inclusion of “Dramatis Personae..." Read more

8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. It provides a comprehensive understanding of Rome's Golden Age challenges and interests. The narrative educates and entertains readers.

"...accessibility; Goldsworthy expertly balances scholarly rigor with readability, making the complexities of Roman history accessible to a broad..." Read more

"...I learned tidbits of history throughout, that were of great interest...." Read more

"Very well written and read." Read more

"Very well written, a pleasure to read. Facts and explanation of characters. Fascinating time in history. Now looking for more books by the author." Read more

11 customers mention "Writing style"7 positive4 negative

Customers have different views on the writing style. Some appreciate the skillful way the author navigates political landscapes, military campaigns, and cultural nuances of Rome. Others find it unreadable, with excessive language that distracts from the reading experience.

"...The author skillfully navigates the political landscapes, military campaigns, and cultural nuances of Rome's Golden Age, providing readers with a..." Read more

"...to Ancient Roman history, but Holland’s problem is that he can not write lucidly without extolling his self-infatuation with murdered syntax...." Read more

"...disjointedly but in a nice sort of way, I learned to really enjoy the writing style...." Read more

"Very well written and read." Read more

My regards to Tom Holland
4 out of 5 stars
My regards to Tom Holland
Pax: War and Peace in Rome's Golden AgeTom Holland took me by surprise. His writing style sets him apart from Adrian Goldsworthy, Anthony Everitt, Marc Morris, Dan Jones, Amanda Podany, Paul Rahe and others that I enjoy.I own two other Tom Holland books, Persian Fire and Rubicon that I bought on Amazon but have yet to read. I obtained Pax as a Kindle library loan, which means my Amazon review will most likely be set back into oblivion, so I will keep it brief.Pax flowed somewhat disjointedly but in a nice sort of way, I learned to really enjoy the writing style. I learned tidbits of history throughout, that were of great interest.After reading Pax, I am looking forward to reading Holland's other books, so from that perspective it sufficed very well.I would certainly recommend this book. I am very happy I took the time to read it, leaving me with lots of notes to breeze throughThank you Tom Holland, great book
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2024
    The media could not be loaded.
    "Pax: War and Peace in Rome’s Golden Age" by Adrian Goldsworthy is a captivating exploration of one of history's most transformative periods—the Roman Empire's Golden Age. Goldsworthy's meticulous research and engaging narrative style bring to life the complexities of Rome's quest for peace during this era.
    The author skillfully navigates the political landscapes, military campaigns, and cultural nuances of Rome's Golden Age, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by the empire. Goldsworthy's ability to weave together historical events, character sketches, and societal developments creates a vivid tapestry that immerses readers in the heart of ancient Rome.
    "Pax" not only delves into the military conquests that marked this period but also examines the intricate efforts made by Rome to maintain peace within its borders. Goldsworthy sheds light on the diplomatic maneuvers, governance strategies, and societal dynamics that contributed to Rome's pursuit of stability.
    One of the book's strengths lies in its accessibility; Goldsworthy expertly balances scholarly rigor with readability, making the complexities of Roman history accessible to a broad audience. Whether you are a seasoned historian or a casual reader, "Pax" offers a rich and engaging narrative that educates and entertains.
    In summary, "Pax" is an illuminating journey through Rome's Golden Age, offering a nuanced understanding of the interplay between war and peace in one of history's most influential civilizations. Adrian Goldsworthy's expertise and storytelling prowess make this book a compelling and enlightening read for history enthusiasts. Highly recommended.
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars Illuminating Rome's Golden Age: A Compelling Journey
    Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2024
    "Pax: War and Peace in Rome’s Golden Age" by Adrian Goldsworthy is a captivating exploration of one of history's most transformative periods—the Roman Empire's Golden Age. Goldsworthy's meticulous research and engaging narrative style bring to life the complexities of Rome's quest for peace during this era.
    The author skillfully navigates the political landscapes, military campaigns, and cultural nuances of Rome's Golden Age, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by the empire. Goldsworthy's ability to weave together historical events, character sketches, and societal developments creates a vivid tapestry that immerses readers in the heart of ancient Rome.
    "Pax" not only delves into the military conquests that marked this period but also examines the intricate efforts made by Rome to maintain peace within its borders. Goldsworthy sheds light on the diplomatic maneuvers, governance strategies, and societal dynamics that contributed to Rome's pursuit of stability.
    One of the book's strengths lies in its accessibility; Goldsworthy expertly balances scholarly rigor with readability, making the complexities of Roman history accessible to a broad audience. Whether you are a seasoned historian or a casual reader, "Pax" offers a rich and engaging narrative that educates and entertains.
    In summary, "Pax" is an illuminating journey through Rome's Golden Age, offering a nuanced understanding of the interplay between war and peace in one of history's most influential civilizations. Adrian Goldsworthy's expertise and storytelling prowess make this book a compelling and enlightening read for history enthusiasts. Highly recommended.
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2024
    Pax: War and Peace in Rome's Golden Age

    Tom Holland took me by surprise. His writing style sets him apart from Adrian Goldsworthy, Anthony Everitt, Marc Morris, Dan Jones, Amanda Podany, Paul Rahe and others that I enjoy.

    I own two other Tom Holland books, Persian Fire and Rubicon that I bought on Amazon but have yet to read. I obtained Pax as a Kindle library loan, which means my Amazon review will most likely be set back into oblivion, so I will keep it brief.

    Pax flowed somewhat disjointedly but in a nice sort of way, I learned to really enjoy the writing style. I learned tidbits of history throughout, that were of great interest.

    After reading Pax, I am looking forward to reading Holland's other books, so from that perspective it sufficed very well.

    I would certainly recommend this book. I am very happy I took the time to read it, leaving me with lots of notes to breeze through

    Thank you Tom Holland, great book
    Customer image
    4.0 out of 5 stars My regards to Tom Holland
    Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2024
    Pax: War and Peace in Rome's Golden Age

    Tom Holland took me by surprise. His writing style sets him apart from Adrian Goldsworthy, Anthony Everitt, Marc Morris, Dan Jones, Amanda Podany, Paul Rahe and others that I enjoy.

    I own two other Tom Holland books, Persian Fire and Rubicon that I bought on Amazon but have yet to read. I obtained Pax as a Kindle library loan, which means my Amazon review will most likely be set back into oblivion, so I will keep it brief.

    Pax flowed somewhat disjointedly but in a nice sort of way, I learned to really enjoy the writing style. I learned tidbits of history throughout, that were of great interest.

    After reading Pax, I am looking forward to reading Holland's other books, so from that perspective it sufficed very well.

    I would certainly recommend this book. I am very happy I took the time to read it, leaving me with lots of notes to breeze through

    Thank you Tom Holland, great book
    Images in this review
    Customer image Customer image
    Customer imageCustomer image
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2024
    Very well written and read.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2024
    Very well written, a pleasure to read. Facts and explanation of characters. Fascinating time in history. Now looking for more books by the author.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2023
    Tom Holland is chock full of interesting facts, factoids and accumulated anecdotes in this book, which benefits from the inclusion of “Dramatis Personae” and a Timeline too. Thanks too for many maps scattered throughout the text- except for the horror of his mislabeled Upper and Lower Germania that was completely confusing and contradictory to the text for 10 pages.

    Thanks to a former reviewer for pointing this out, which I saw only afterwards sadly.

    This is a good read for the initiate to Ancient Roman history, but Holland’s problem is that he can not write lucidly without extolling his self-infatuation with murdered syntax. Nevertheless, it is a useful addition to the burgeoning library of the Roman Empire’s story.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2024
    As always - holland weaves a masterful story. Ends a bit too abruptly (leaves you wanting another 400 pages). Felt like his editor was asking him to wrap it up when he gets to Hadrian. I hope he has another 300 years in him.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2023
    Great subject, great writer, great book!
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2024
    If you're like me, you tend to trust the three star reviews more than the others. Or not. I have read all of Holland's books. I have also read Josephus, Tactitus, Seutonius and who knows what else concerning this period. Personally, I have more or less given up on Holland as a serious historian, but a friend gave me this book for Xmas and, like I said, I do like this period of history.

    Holland is smug and can be annoying. He loves the more titillating material and generally slants his writing towards that. He never strays far from common prejudices and assumptions. His book on Christianity is especially revealing of these proper English biases. The best thing I have ever seen him do was a documentary on the history of Islam. Very good. Maybe because it is a culture that is not his own he is better at being objective. Who knows. And even then, his need to put himself front and center is off putting.

    As for this book. He says things where you think, a footnote, please? Where does this opinion come from? What basis do you have for it? His take on Josephus borders on antisemitic, pulling out all the old tropes. And his view of Titus is based almost soley on one small comment in Seutonius which Seutonius himself contradicts. It is just strange how much this guy revels in the tropes about Romans and their mores, repeating the slander that Roman writers so often employed as if it were historical fact.

    That said, a fast, easy read pulled from a lot of sources. Superficial, but since so little is written about this period, sure. Why not.
    11 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Dan Murray
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating read.
    Reviewed in Canada on May 16, 2024
    Fascinating read. Brings the characters to life. An historical narrative that is educational and a pleasure to read. Highly recommended.
  • IAN RHODES
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well written 0
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 27, 2024
    History of post claudian Rome year of 4 ceasers to
    Hadrian,interesting.
  • antonio pueyo
    1.0 out of 5 stars Muy defectuoso
    Reviewed in Spain on September 8, 2024
    Defectuoso
  • James Dowling
    3.0 out of 5 stars It’s ok
    Reviewed in Australia on March 31, 2024
    He is better on the podcast.
  • Simon
    4.0 out of 5 stars Pax - Tom Holland
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2023
    Well researched book but, to be honest, much prefered Dynasty.