J. B. Segal (1912–2003)

The classic history of a city between two empires that was once a center of Christianity and learning. A historical case in point that circumstances on the edge of an empire (either the Roman or the Parthian one) are never the same as things at the center of an empire. Full of good anecdotes -- one of those books about history that's a good read whether the era and place interest you or not.

-Kushana

Absolutely dotty!