In the Shadow of the Sword: The Birth of Islam and the Rise of the Global Arab Empire

Rome

Posidonius

Greek philosopher and enthusiast for globalisation.

Augustus (27 BC–AD 14)

First of the Roman emperors.

Virgil

Author of the

Aeneid

, the great epic of the Roman people.

Nero (54–68)

Psychotic Roman emperor whom rabbis claimed became a Jew.

Philip (244–9)

Nicknamed the “Arab.” Presided over Rome’s millennial celebrations.

Decius (249–51)

Killer of Philip, killed by Goths. A persecutor of Christians.

Valerian (253–60)

Captured by Shapur I.