Abacus unveils third book in ‘epic’ trilogy on Roman Empire from award-winning historian Holland

Pax, the third book in a trilogy telling the story of the Roman Empire by award-winning historian Tom Holland, has been unveiled by Abacus.

Publisher Richard Beswick acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to the book from Patrick Walsh, agent at PEW Literary. Pax will be published on 6th July 2023. 

“The series began with Rubicon, and continued with Dynasty, and now arrives at the period which marks the apogée of the Pax Romana," the publisher says. “It provides a portrait of the ancient world’s ultimate superpower at war and at peace; from the gilded capital to the barbarous realms beyond the frontier; from emperors to slaves.

“The narrative features many of the most celebrated episodes in Roman history: the destruction of Jerusalem and Pompeii; the building of the Colosseum and Hadrian’s Wall; the conquests of Trajan and the spread of Christianity.

As well as writing and presenting documentaries for Channel 4 and the BBC, Tom Holland co-presents the podcast “The Rest is History". According to the publisher the podcast has had 7 million downloads in the last 30 days alone.

Beswick said: “Pax paints a brilliant portrait of Rome, the great white shark of the ancient world, at the very pinnacle of her greatness, as well as holding up a mirror to the current global machinations of empire.”