Welcome to the History Extra Podcast, fascinating historical conversations from BBC History Magazine

and BBC History Revealed.

The Roman Empire was used to getting its own way, but there was one power it was never able

to overcome. Despite several bouts of warfare, the Parthian and later Persian Empire managed

to hold its own against Rome for more than six centuries, until a new force emerged that

would transform the Middle East forever.

In his new book The Eagle and the Lion, ancient historian Adrian Goldworthy charts the evolving

relationship between Rome and Persia, explaining why neither was ever able to vanquish the

other. He spoke to Robata.

I think most listeners would have some knowledge of the Roman Empire, but it'll be great if

you could perhaps briefly introduce us to the other players in your book The Parthians

and The Sassanians.

It's one of the forgotten powers and empires, civilizations of the ancient world, because

we know the Romans are bigger than anyone else with whom they're in contact. They've defeated

the Carthaginians, the other powerful nations, but throughout the history of the Empire,

from the first century BC onwards, there is this big power that's centered around modern

day, around Iraq, Afghanistan, central, western Asia, and covers a very large area, doesn't

have the population or quite the wealth of the Romans. It's not an equal of the Roman Empire,

but it's so much bigger and so much more sophisticated than anything else. And essentially

it's the same Empire. There are really two ruling dynasties, the Parthians who come first

who have established themselves in the area before the Romans arrive, and then in the third

century AD, they're overthrown by the Sassanian Persians. And while there's a tendency not

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