Dynasty is out now in paperback.

Tom Holland’s critically acclaimed, magisterial account of the Roman Empire is out now in paperback – just in time to take away with you on your summer holidays. Dynasty is the story of rise and fall of the house of Caesar, and has been hailed as ‘masterly’, ‘wonderful’ and ‘a compulsively good read’. Now featuring a brand new cover, it’s the perfect way to escape to the drama and intrigue of Ancient Rome, wherever you are this summer.

Watch Tom Holland bring Rome to life through his coin collection

Many readers of Dynasty – and its precursor, Rubicon – have reported the sense of being transported into Ancient Rome, so vivid are Tom Holland’s descriptions of the places and people.

‘Deft and skilful . . . both a formidable effort to compile what we can know about the ancient world and a sensational story’ Nick Cohen, Observer

In a series of podcasts recorded exclusively for this website at his home in London, Tom Holland explores the world of Ancient Rome brought so vividly to life in Dynasty, and gives us an insight into his writing life and what inspires him.

In this first recording, Tom explains what first sparked his fascination with the period, and the surprising connection between dinosaurs and historical study.