Product description
Review
This book is
as close as one can get to stepping back into the Persian Empire without the aid of a Tardis. ― Buzz Magazine Superb, authoritative, and compelling, a fresh history of the Persian Great Kings that combines exuberant storytelling with outstanding scholarship that is both entertaining and bracingly revisionist, filled with a cast of ruthless conquerors, queens, eunuchs and concubines that brings the Persian world blazingly to life through Persian instead of the usual Greek sources. The result is a tour de force. ― Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of JERUSALEM: THE BIOGRAPHY A masterful account and evocation of the history and culture of the first true world empire ― Aidan M Dodson, Hon Professor of Egyptology, University of BristolAlways lively, often challenging, this is
a very welcome exploration of one of the greatest empires and cultures of the ancient world. Highly recommended ― Adrian Goldsworthy, author of PHILIP AND ALEXANDERThis is
an engaging, pacy account of the Persian Empire which is based on a rich range of sources. Going right up to the use of Cyrus the Great in modern Iran, the ‘Persian Version’ on which Professor Lloyd-Jones focuses has much to tell us about how different cultures create history and use it to tell their stories ― Helen King, Professor Emerita, Classical Studies, The Open University A brilliant feat of resurrection, restoring to the Persian Empire the colour, brilliance, and complexity that renders it one of the most fascinating and influential of ancient civilizations, and of which for so long, in most histories of antiquity, it has been bled. ― Tom Holland, author of DOMINION Persians is a wonderful introduction to the ancient world’s largest and most consequential empire. Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones is one of the foremost scholars of Achaemenid history, and he gives us a gripping account of the history of ancient Persia, tracking how a small tribal society in southwestern Iran came to be the world’s first superpower. ― Touraj Daryaee, University of California, IrvineFor too long the world of Achaemenid Persia has been viewed through the eyes of often hostile foreigners. In this compelling investigation Llewellyn-Jones draws on a wealth of evidence – from imposing cliff-cut inscriptions to tiny seal-rings – to reveal the Persian Version of its empire’s stirring history, far removed from the traditional stereotype. Spotlighting not just the royal dynasty but a wealth of other characters (including ambitious courtiers, a wily Egyptian administrator, a Greek slave-girl enmeshed in Persia’s great power game) he brings to vivid life a sophisticated, highly complex, tightly run society with an acute sense of its place within the cosmos, where devotion to the Truth could coexist with cruelty and violence, and imperialism with cultural and religious tolerance.
Clear, convincing, and meticulously researched, Persians, The Age of the Great Kings is not just a timely reassessment of the world’s first superpower – it’s a wonderfully accessible page-turner to boot ― David Stuttard, author of NEMESIS and PHOENIXBook Description
From the Back Cover
‘Gripping!’ The Sunday Times
‘Lively and highly readable’ Literary Review
The Great Kings of Persia ruled over the largest Empire of antiquity, stretching from Libya to Ethiopia and Pakistan. At the heart of the Empire was the fabled palace-city of Persepolis where the Achaemenid monarchs held court in unparalleled grandeur.
Though known for their cultural diversity and military successes, the Achaemenids, however, were one of the great dysfunctional families of history. Brothers fought brothers for power, wives and concubines plotted to promote their sons to the throne, and eunuchs and courtiers vied for influence and prestige.
Professor Llewellyn-Jones calls upon original Achaemenid sources, including inscriptions, art, and recent archaeological discoveries in Iran, to create an authentic ‘Persian Version’ of this remarkable first great empire of antiquity – the Age of the Great Kings.
‘Superb, authoritative and compelling’ Simon Sebag Montefiore
‘Clear, convincing and meticulously researched’ David Stuttard
‘An engaging, pacy account of the Persian Empire’ Helen King
‘A brilliant feat of resurrection’ Tom Holland
‘A very welcome exploration of one the greatest empires and cultures of the ancient world’ Adrian Goldworthy
About the Author
Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones is Professor of Ancient History at Cardiff University. He has spent extensive time in Egypt, the Middle East and Iran and is a specialist in the histories and cultures of Near Eastern and Hellenistic antiquity and champions a global approach to the study of the ancient world and its reception.
Lloyd has appeared on the BBC, Channel 4, in The Times and other media outlets and in many popular podcasts. He has worked closely with the British Museum on major exhibitions. His previous books include Persians: the Age of the Great Kings, Ancient Persia and the Book of Esther, The Hellenistic Court, Sister-Queens in the High Hellenistic Period, Aphrodite’s Tortoise: The Veiled Women of Ancient Greece, and Designs on the Past: How Hollywood Created the Ancient World. He is currently writing a book on the ancient mega-city of Babylon.
Born in Cefn Cribwr, Lloyd lives in Taffs Well, Wales.
c j w ledger –
We hear all too much about the greeks – and now with this fascinating book the balance begins to be restored. clearly a book of extraordinary research beautifully written and thoroughly enjoyed by this reviewer who has travelled extensively in the ME. The knockout comment for me was about gardens which the Persians adored but which the Greeks thought were only good for growing radishes!
Simon –
Really interesting book about the rise and fall of the Persian Empire.
Barfog –
It is very intersteing to read an account of the Persian Empire that is not presented entirely from the Greek point of view. My one criticism is that, while a general reader might not even notice it, suppositions are frequently presented as facts, with many pages reading like those of a historical novel.
markr –
Having recently immersed myself in the history of ancient Greece and Macedonia, I wanted to balance my knowledge and understanding somewhat with a look at the same time periods, but through the eyes of the Persians with whom were so often in conflict.This book has helped me to do so. It is clear where the author’s sympathies lie, especially towards the end of the book, where Darius III’s military decisions are lauded, even although they led to crushing defeat at the hands of Alexander – who notably is referred to in this book as ‘the Macedonian’ rather than the more usual ‘Great’The destruction of Persepolis alone is enough to strip him of the imprimatur ‘Great’ not to mention his probable complicity in the murder of his father Phillip II of Macedonia – oh, and the millions of lives lost as a direct result of his vaulting ambitionHowever, back to the book. The writing style is fluent, and despite the huge amount of information contained in these pages, highly readable. The book does indeed go some way to towards balancing the pro Hellenic view of history taken by western writers over the millennia and it makes for thought provoking and enjoyable as well as informative reading. I found the final chapter which explores the place of the Achaemenids Kings in modern Iranian culture to be thoughtful and carefully considered about where the future of Iran may lead.Highly recommended if you want to be entertained as well as informed of n rather different view of the conflicts between Persia and the West
Philip –
I came across Prof Llewellyn-Jones (L-J) while watching the Netflix series on Alexander the Great… I was impressed then by his enthusiasm, erudition, and his way of coming across to the audience! I really enjoyed listening to him! So I went for his book on the Persians, on these kings, and have not been disappointed. From the first, he invites you to dive in and enjoy the ride with him, and learn about Persia from the Persian viewpoint!This is so refreshing after being so misinformed about Persia from Greek and Roman sources. We have ancient cuneiform documents that tell us a lot about ancient Persia, and Prof L-J knows how to weave it all into an engrossing narrative!So, yes I’m enjoying reading this and learning about a much ignored and maligned culture. I’ve always been intrigued by the Persians/Iranians and this is an excellent introduction to them. Well done Prof L-J!
Robert Sinclair –
For those interested in this period of history, and wanting to find out more about the Persians, this book provides a very balanced perspective. It goes a long way to start the process of restoring the balance and providing some objectivity to a period that has been dominated by the Greek, Athenian, Macedonian opinion of the Persians. The use of contemporary archaeology to substantiate and support Llewelyn-Jones’ assertions is strong point and is not blindly biased in favour of the Persians.A very readable overview. In my opinion, an excellent author of history books is one who can seduce the reader into thinking that he/she is reading a novel. This is one of those books.
Charles Vasey –
I think this book overreaches itself in setting laudable but too ambitious goals. It does not give us quite as much as I had hoped from archaeology and ultimately ends up regaling us with the usual Greek tales from the harem.
Kim –
Ancient history in my school days was invariably seen from a Hellenic viewpoint. Refreshing to see things from the Persian perspective. Much needed correction which also has relevance to our own times when The Islamic Republic is painted as the root cause of all evil. And all while glossing over the Western powers’ own and less than flattering meddling in Middle Eastern politics.
Mahta –
Very good read, extremely educating and exciting
Mindblowing!
Wolfischer –
Bem pesquisado e agradável de ler.
O autor pesquisou detalhadamente as fontes mais antigas da história persa, reuniu tudo numa narrativa consistente e a apresentou de forma quase jornalística, o que torna a leitura muito agradável.