THE RISE OF TWO EMPIRES: 1. A new world order: The Roman conquest of the East ; 2. Menace from the East: The rise of Parthia ; 3. Marcus Crassus and the lure of the East -- THE WAR: 4. An unnecessary war? The origins of the First Romano-Parthian War (96-55 BC) ; 5. The invasion of the East (55-53 BC) ; 6. Disaster at Carrhae ; 7. Storm over the East (53-50 BC) ; 8. Epilogue: The consequences of Carrhae -- APPENDICES: Appendix 1. The fate of the Roman prisoners ; Appendix 2. Sources of the Battle of Carrhae ; Appendix 3. Sources for Parthian history ; Appendix 4. King lists.