{"product_id":"persian-fire-the-first-world-empire-and-the-battle-for-the-west-9780307279484","title":"Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West","description":"\u003ch2\u003ePersian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\nTom Holland's Persian Fire delivers a gripping account of one of history's most consequential conflicts. This historical narrative examines the Persian Wars of the fifth century B.C., when the mighty Persian Empire sought to conquer the Greek city-states of Athens and Sparta.\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Epic Clash Between Empires\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\nIn the fifth century B.C., a global superpower was determined to bring truth and order to what it regarded as two terrorist states. The superpower was Persia, incomparably rich in ambition, gold, and men. The terrorist states were Athens and Sparta, eccentric cities in a poor and mountainous backwater: Greece. The story of how their citizens took on the Great King of Persia, and thereby saved not only themselves but Western civilization as well, is as heart-stopping and fateful as any episode in history.\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCritical Analysis of Ancient Warfare\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\nTom Holland's brilliant study of these critical Persian Wars skillfully examines a conflict of critical importance to both ancient and modern history. This paperback edition from Anchor Books provides detailed insight into the military strategies, political tensions, and cultural differences that defined this pivotal period from 500-449 B.C.\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\nTom Holland is a historian of the ancient world and a translator. His books include \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eRubicon: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Roman Republic\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePersian Fire\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eIn the Shadow of the Sword\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Forge of Christendom\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e. He has adapted Homer, Herodotus, Thucydides and Virgil for the BBC. In 2007, he was the winner of the Classical Association prize, awarded to \"the individual who has done most to promote the study of the language, literature and civilization of Ancient Greece and Rome.\" He lives in London with his family.\n\nVisit the author's website at www.tom-holland.org.","brand":"Anchor Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50680539644178,"sku":"9780307279484","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/persian-fire-the-first-world-empire-and-the-battle-for-the-west-9780307279484","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}