The most up to date and comprehensive narrative focusing solely on Parthian Political and Cultural history written in English, this book was published in 70's and I'm surprised by how little recognition it has recieved.

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Metallurgist

Interesting and informative

Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2016

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I found this book to be interesting, informative and well written. It covers the rise and fall of the Parthian Empire, the fighting against Rome and many details regarding the nature of the empire. I liked the book, but would have liked more if it contained more about the history of the rise and fall of the empire, as only 43 pages are specifically devoted to these subjects. The rest of the book was devoted to the geography of the region, the king and government of the empire, its economics, religion, architecture and art. The book contains 76 black and white photographs that are printed on photographic paper, 48 line drawing and 2 maps. All in all, this is a comprehensive book that is focused on the nature of the empire.

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rufuschoate

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2015

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Exciting and thorough discussion of the Parthians Only wish it was updated with new archaeological information

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Doug Welch

Good overview of Rome's Persian rivals

Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2015

Very few books exist documenting the history of the Parthian phase of the Persian Empire. This book is several decades old, but it is available and readable. Malcolm Colledge gives us the details on the Parthians who started off as horseback raiders, marginally related to the same Iraniac ancestors from whence the Achmaenids arose centuries earlier. The Parthians, also called the Arsacids, overthrew the Hellenistic successors to Alexander, the Seleucids; and went on to control the better part of the Persian lands with very little care about the cultural leanings of their varied regions, be their vassals Greek-speakers, Syrians, Persians or other, the Parthians were tolerant as long as they received tribute and troops. Also covered in this book is Parthian art and architecture as well as brief overviews of related neighboring kingdoms in this era such as Palmyra, Hatra, and Nisibis. Among Western historians, the Parthians are best known as the Persians who tangled with Crassus, Pompey, Marc Antony as well as Nero, Trajan, Marcus Aurelius and Septimius Severus. Although their military record is chequered at best, they were able contend well with the Romans if they could ever assemble all of their forces, which given their hands-off feudalistic style of rule was quite a difficult task to accomplish.
Colledge goes to great lengths to point out that most of our recorded knowledge of the Parthians was done by their neighbors and enemies. This book is one of the few to give a full account of the Parthians.
What really makes this book stand out are the many photos and line drawings of extant Parthian art, royal portraits, coins and building sites.

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Sargon

Good book on a Lost People

Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2006

Basically covers pretty much what we knew about this civilization in the 1960s. The Parthians had a society much like later medieval Europe and were more genteel than their western Roman neighbors. Unfortunately, still, little is known about them other than they were a Indo-European people/collective of tribes who took over from the Seleucids and later eclipsed by the last Persian Sassanian dynasty.

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Rhys

Excellent Book for anyone interested in the Parthians and the art of Palmyra

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 10, 2017

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Malcolm Colledge's book on the Parthians is an excellent buy for anyone interested in the Parthians and the region of Palmyra. He was our lecturer in Classics and the History of Art at Westfield College, University of London from 1974-77 so we were fortunate to have his first hand accounts in our lectures.

Ronald P Nicholson

A must for anyone interested in the Parthians

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 4, 2014

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There are few books about the Parthians. None of the current crop are up to the standard of this 'oldie'. If you have the opportunity, snap up this one!

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