101 A.D. Emperor Trajan, the heralded new Caesar of the Roman Empire, seeks to reverse fifteen years of humiliating losses for Rome in wars against Dacia and its brilliant military leader King Decebal. To punish Dacia and Decebal, Trajan launches an invasion of Dacia with the largest army ever assembled in the history of Rome.Decebal And Trajan is the story of the middle years (100 - 102 AD) of the Roman - Dacian wars. It is told from the point of view of King Decebal and the Dacian people fighting for their freedom and survival, and also from the point of view of Emperor Trajan fighting to assert Rome's power and restore Rome's pride and honor. The story of Decebal and Trajan is an epic clash of towering personalities and of brutal military conflicts that would decide the fate of two nations.

105 A.D. King Decebal of Dacia stubbornly defends the freedom of his people and continues to defy the rule of the Roman Empire. Emperor Trajan marches north again to invade Dacia with the largest army in the history of Rome. Their legendary personal and military conflicts reach a dramatic climax beneath the walls of Sarmizegetusa, the holy city of Dacia and the most formidable mountain fortress of the ancient world. Decebal Defiant concludes the narrative of Decebal and Trajan, towering historical figures and military masterminds of their age. Their story is an epic clash of cultures, political intrigues, assassination attempts, betrayal, and a fierce struggle for power and survival. The outcome of the Roman - Dacian wars profoundly shaped the futures of both Dacia and Rome.

Essays on Romanian History brings together a lifetime of studies on Romanian history and culture by one of the leading American scholars on the history of Romania, Radu R. Florescu. While each chapter is a separate study, in their totality, they form a vision of Romanian history, dealing with issues from ancient times to the present day. Among the studies included in this volume: The Formation of a Nation from the Earliest Times to Burebista; The Struggle between Decebal and Trajan; Prince Negru — Founder of the First Romanian Principality; The Search for Dracula; Vlad Dracul II (1436-1442, 1443-1447); Vlad III The Impaler (or Dracula) (1448, 1456-1462, 1476) — Tactician of Terror or National Hero; The Origins of the Dragon Symbol; Dracula in the Romanian Literature; The Dracula Image in Folklore; Captain John Smith and Romania (1580-1631); Michael the Brave (1593-1601); Dimitrie Cantemir and the Battle of Stanile?ti (1710-1711); The Uniate Church; The Phanariot Regime; Horea, Clo?ca, and Cri?an: Peasants in Arms: 1784-1785; General Ion Emanoil Florescu: Father of the Romanian Army 1817-1893; Elena Cuza: Neglected Woman and Wife (1825-1909); Dumitru Florescu: A Forgotten Pioneer in the History of Romanian Music (1827-1875); Diplomatic and Military Preparation for the War of 1877-1878; An Intimate View; King Carol and Lupescu; and Mircea Eliade’s Contribution to History. The author, Radu R. Florescu, was a professor of history at Boston College. He is the author of The Struggle against Russia in the Romanian Principalities, Dracula: Prince of Many Faces, and In Search of Dracula.

"Matyszak writes clearly and engagingly . . . nicely produced, with ample maps and illustrations." —Classical Outlook This engrossing book looks at the growth and eventual demise of Rome from the viewpoint of the peoples who fought against it. Here is the reality behind such legends as Spartacus the gladiator, as well as the thrilling tales of Hannibal, the great Boudicca, the rebel leader and Mithridates, the connoisseur of poisons, among many others. Some enemies of Rome were noble heroes and others were murderous villains, but each has a unique and fascinating story.

Dear reader - you should know from the very beginning this is not an exhaustive, academic paper on Romania; nor is it a travel guide of Romania. I'm a simple journalist and this is just my own private Romania - a subjective puzzle of all the things I know from experience to be interesting for foreign tourists. I've learned a lot from them and from trying to answer their questions. I had to research and prepare myself each and every time, for every curiosity they had. After a while, some of these studies became the essays I've collected in this book. --introduction.

The leader who helped keep the Dark Ages at bay: “An excellent picture of the Crisis of the Third Century and the life and work of Aurelian” (StrategyPage). The ancient Sibylline prophecies had foretold that the Roman Empire would last for one thousand years. As the time for the expected dissolution approached in the middle of the third century AD, the empire was lapsing into chaos, with seemingly interminable civil wars over the imperial succession. The western empire had seceded under a rebel emperor, and the eastern empire was controlled by another usurper. Barbarians took advantage of the anarchy to kill and plunder all over the provinces. Yet within the space of just five years, the general, and later emperor, Aurelian had expelled all the barbarians from within the Roman frontiers, reunited the entire empire, and inaugurated major reforms of the currency, pagan religion, and civil administration. His accomplishments have been hailed by classical scholars as those of a superman, yet Aurelian himself remains little known to a wider audience. His achievements enabled the Roman Empire to survive for another two centuries, ensuring a lasting legacy of Roman civilization for the successor European states. Without Aurelian, the Dark Ages would probably have lasted centuries longer.

A comprehensive and engaging new history charting Romania's development over 2000 years from its establishment to the present day.

Prior to the collapse of communism, Romanian historical movies were political, encouraging nationalistic feelings and devotion to the state. Vlad the Impaler and other such iconic figures emerged as heroes rather than loathsome bloodsuckers, celebrating a shared sense of belonging. The past decade has, however, presented Romanian films in which ordinary people are the stars--heroes, go-getters, swindlers and sore losers. The author explores a wide selection, old and new, of films set in the Romanian past.