Tom Holland is a historian who has done the rounds in England in translation, adaptation, and in writing amazing works of his own. He remains a seminal figure in the fields of dynasty history, the Roman Empire, the Greek myths, and Christianity. If you’re looking for the evolution of religions in world history as seen through the rise and fall of empires, Tom Holland is your man.
Read on to learn about Tom Holland’s works, including the major original and adapted accomplishments you should check out. Whether you’re researching for a paper or genuinely interested, Holland should be your starting point.
Major Works as Author
Tom Holland has authored award-winning books chronicling the progress of dynasties in Greek, Roman, Persian, and Islamic history. His Hessell-Tiltman Prize for History comes from his book, Rubicon: The Triumph and the Tragedy of the Roman Republic. The book’s name comes from the river Rubicon, across which Julius Caesar marched to return to Rome. This action threw the once unflinching republic into chaos and marks a major shift in world disorder, according to Holland.
He also wrote Millennium: The End of the World and the Forging of Christendom, which details millennia of history on either side of Christianity. He wrote about the Persian wars in Persian Fire as well as the creation of Islam from the ashes of Rome in In the Shadow of the Sword.
These books cover Tom Holland’s breadth of perspective as a historian, which heavily focuses on how ruling powers gave way to new religions and world orders throughout time. If the titles sound relevant to your history studies or your interests, these books constitute the top of their fields.
Adapted Works
As any great historian, Tom Holland is not content to only write books detailing his own perspective. He also respects and contributes to the perspective of his peers, some thousands of years old. Therefore, Holland has done many adaptations of old works, from the stories of Homer and Virgil adapted for the BBC to a Herodotus print translation that received much critical acclaim.
His biography of the first King of England, Aethelstan, promoted a new depth of understanding of one of England’s most shrouded figures. Today, Holland remains BBC Radio 4’s presenter for their program, Making History. Along with this program, Holland writes history documentaries for the BBC and serves on historical advisory committees.
Tom Holland Historian: The Takeaway
Tom Holland is a historian with a story to tell. He has made his mark on many historical periods, focusing on the development of religions from the ashes of empires. Thus, he’s one of the leading figures on how social change encourages the formation of new powers. His work in mythology has been equally impressive. He has provided us with many authoritative translations of the old masters, from Homer to Herodotus.
History students likely know Holland already. If his work aligns with your studies or interests, he remains a leading figure in his discipline. You should add him to your shelf, if you can. He’s guaranteed to make it look smarter.
