This is a beautiful and solid book, without a doubt. The artworks on display and the illustrations accompanying the texts are stunning. And the contents of the book is absolutely interesting, covering more than 1.000 years of glorious history: the ancient Persian empire, the first truly cosmopolitan empire, Parthia, the underrated challenger of the Roman empire, and the empire of the Sasanians, that magnificent predecessors of Islamic civilization. These empires all have Iran as their heartland, hence the reference in the title. But… isn't it striking that just a few Iranian experts (expats) have contributed to this book? And that the works on display all come from Western museums? The explanation is perhaps not far to seek: the isolation Iran currently finds itself in, of course largely the fault of the harsh regime in Tehran itself. But the country is so much more than the Ayatollahs. Therefore, I do not understand that the editors of this book and the curators of this exhibition have not attempted to put together a more balanced scientific committee, to compensate for the lack of direct Iranian cooperation. It's a stain on an otherwise excellent coffee table book. Thanks to Netgalley for the Advanced Temporary Reading Copy. Also see my review in my History-account on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4605554280 ( )

Persia: Ancient Iran and the Classical World, edited by Jeffrey Spier, Timothy Potts, and Sara E Cole, is as impressive an introduction to the interactions between Persia, Greece, and Rome as it is an attractive coffee table book.

To say my knowledge in this area is sketchy at best is putting it mildly. While there was a little overlap with some things I knew a little about this was largely new information for me. The wonderful essays coupled with the superb illustrations brought the history to life, as well as giving me a new appreciation of the period and the region.

The essays are accessible but are also more scholarly than what you might find in many exhibition catalogues. The notes at the end of each essay and the extensive references cited section at the back of the book offer wonderful opportunities to pursue more information on whatever areas most appeal to you.

The actual catalogue sections offer wonderful short explanations of each item as well as a nice photograph. This book will be both visually and intellectually satisfying.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )