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The History of Ancient Rome
- Narrated by: Garrett G. Fagan
- Length: 22 hrs and 40 mins
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Editor reviews
Summary
Even today, the influence of Ancient Rome is indelible, with Europe and the world owing this extraordinary empire a huge cultural debt in almost every important category of human endeavor, including art, architecture, engineering, language, literature, law, and religion. At the peak of its power, Rome's span was vast. In the regional, restless, and shifting history of continental Europe, the Roman Empire stands as a towering monument to scale and stability, unified in politics and law, stretching from the sands of Syria to the moors of Scotland. And it stood for almost 700 years.
In this series of 48 spirited lectures, you'll see how a small village of shepherds and farmers rose to tower over the civilized world of its day and left a permanent mark on history. In telling Rome's riveting story, Professor Fagan draws on a wealth of primary and secondary sources, including recent historical and archaeological scholarship, to introduce the fascinating tale of Rome's rise and decline, including the famous events and personalities that have become so familiar: Horatius at the bridge; Hannibal crossing the Alps during Rome's life-or-death war with Carthage; Caesar being assassinated before a statue of his archrival Pompey; The doomed lovers Antony and Cleopatra; the mad and venal emperors Nero and Caligula; the conversion of Constantine.
The course also addresses one of history's greatest questions: Why did the Roman Empire fall? And you'll learn why most modern scholars believe that the empire did not "fall" at all, but, rather, changed into something very different - the less urbanized, more rural, early medieval world.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
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What listeners say about The History of Ancient Rome
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- Mister Peridot
- 20-05-18
Lecture Titles
1 Introduction
2 The Sources
3 Pre-Roman Italy and the Etruscans
4 The Foundation of Rome
5 The Kings of Rome
6 Regal Society
7 The Beginnings of the Republic
8 The Struggle of the Orders
9 Roman Expansion in Italy
10 The Roman Confederation in Italy
11 The International Scene on the Eve of Roman Expansion
12 Carthage and the First Punic War
13 The Second Punic (or Hannibalic) War
14 Rome in the Eastern Mediterranean
15 Explaining the Rise of the Roman Empire
16 “The Captured Conqueror” - Rome and Hellenism
17 Governing the Roman Republic, Part I - Senate and Magistrates
18 Governing the Roman Republic, Part II - Popular Assemblies and Provincial Administration
19 The Pressures of Empire
20 The Gracchi Brothers
21 Marius and Sulla
22 “The Royal Rule of Sulla”
23 Sulla’s Reforms Undone
24 Pompey and Crassus
25 The First Triumvirate
26 Pompey and Caesar
27 “The Domination of Caesar”
28 Social and Cultural Life in the Late Republic
29 Antony and Octavian
30 The Second Triumvirate
31 Octavian Emerges Supreme
32 The New Order of Augustus
33 The Imperial Succession
34 The Julio-Claudian Dynasty
35 The Emperor in the Roman World
36 The Third-Century Crisis
37 The Shape of Roman Society
38 Roman Slavery
39 The Family
40 Women in Roman Society
41 An Empire of Cities
42 Public Entertainment, Part I - The Roman Baths and Chariot Racing
43 Public Entertainment, Part II - Gladiatorial Games
44 Roman Paganism
45 The Rise of Christianity
46 The Restoration of Order
47 Constantine and the Late Empire
48 Thoughts on the “Fall” of the Roman Empire
ps. Come on Audible update the website so chapters titles are published !!
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50 people found this helpful
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- Jim Vaughan
- 30-10-13
Nilli secundus! Great history, and great value!
What have the Romans ever done for us?
I struggled both in Latin and History at school. The thought then of twenty four hours of lectures on Roman history would have filled me with horror!
However, I really enjoyed this course - more like a good fireside epic of the story of Rome, the habits and customs of the Roman people, the political intrigues, religious beliefs (including conversion to Christianity) and the final decline - all of which has determined the ground of so much of our own civilisation.
Professor Fagan tells the story with charm and occasional wit, never lapsing into simply repeating dull facts, but always tying it together in a narrative that bounces along enjoyably, making it always a pleasure to look forward to the next lecture. Although it is forty eight lectures long, my feeling at the end was of having only scratched the surface of this massive subject.
However, to have such a course, containing so much good teaching, for a single audiobook credit is fantastic value.
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19 people found this helpful
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- Jonathan
- 03-01-15
An Excellent Account of a Fascinating Story
I thoroughly enjoyed this course and recommend it highly. Professor Fagan is not one of the very top lecturers of the Great Courses (e.g. Bob Brier, Kenneth Vickery, Robert Greenberg) but his low-key style grew on me very quickly and I became absolutely captivated by this course. Detail is given where appropriate but also omitted where it gets in the way. There is a very good mixture of historical narrative and discussions of social issues (the "thematic lectures" as Professor Fagan calls them) and these components are well integrated. As with all Great Courses I recommend looking at the Great Courses web site for more information about content. One final comment -- Professor Fagan has another Great Course, on Emperors of Rome. I made the mistake of listening to that first; although the Emperors course works as a freestanding item, it would have been better as a follow-up to this course. (Also the Emperors course is not as good in my view). If you want a thorough and detailed introduction to Ancient Rome, this course is absolutely perfect.
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8 people found this helpful
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- Lennie
- 20-02-15
Really great it makes me want more detail.
Would you listen to The History of Ancient Rome again? Why?
I'm doing an OU course and this is great for background info and I can listen in the car. The lecturer makes it so interesting and the characters from so long ago come alive. He doesn't attempt to portray everyone as their myth and where we don't know information he says so.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Spartacus and his rebellion hold a fascination for me, however he is told here as simply a side character in the lecture on Crassus, which is a shame.
What about Professor Garrett G. Fagan’s performance did you like?
His timing and ironic comments on the chatracter of some of the people, he brings them to life.
Any additional comments?
Would definitely recommend for anyone with a love of history.
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7 people found this helpful
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- DrBlues
- 17-01-15
Rome wasn't built in a day - It takes 22hrs 42mins
Where does The History of Ancient Rome rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
This title is definitely in my top 3 amongst some very stiff competition. I was enthralled from start to finish. Some audiobooks I've read, I just can't wait to end but I have to finish them - once this book started I was dreading it!
What was one of the most memorable moments of The History of Ancient Rome?
As a City Councillor, I was amazed at how similar politics was then as it is today - both in terms of the political set-up and the behaviour of politicians!
What does Professor Garrett G. Fagan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
Professor Fagan is a very good narrator. He is an expert in his field with a sense of humour that comes across throughout the lectures. Professor Fagan's humour and comments throughout often reflect his personal opinions on certain actions of behaviour, which gives you a perspective to think about and consider, whether you agree with him or not. I don't often write reviews, but felt that his personality and emotional input was deserving of a cracking review. I would like others to share the fantastic experience. Professor Fagan is my hero.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
This book was a shock to the system. I enjoyed it so much that I have even sometimes reflected that I wish I'd studied the topic at University as an undergraduate; I read Politics.
Any additional comments?
I listened to another audiobook on Ancient Rome before this one and really did not enjoy it too much. That book was only redeemed by one top-notch chapter on Rome in Numbers, using stats and figures to give a perspective of the Ancient World. I almost gave up on the topic, then this Lecture series caught my eye. If you're considering learning about Ancient Rome and haven't tried the Great Lecture Series - cross the Rubicon, 'cast the die' and give Professor Fagan a chance.
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6 people found this helpful
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- Davey Crockett
- 14-05-14
Great help in Studying Ancient history
Would you consider the audio edition of The History of Ancient Rome to be better than the print version?
This audible, I found very interesting and helpful in increasing my knowledge of Rome. I have a degree in Ancient History from the OU and this recording gave me further insight into the power struggle that existed throughout the time of Rome as a player in World Politics.
What did you like best about this story?
Probably, Julius Caesar. However, he was merely one of the catalysts that led to the rise of Rome under the emperors. Although, Octavian / Augustus Caesar was the first Emperor / self declared god of the Romans.
What about Professor Garrett G. Fagan’s performance did you like?
Yes, it made the audio easy to listen to and made Rome seem almost come to life.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Emotional reactions do not come into the subject matter. However, Professor Fagan's style did cement my feeling that certainly from the triumvirate on Rome was gradually falling into the ways of a degenerating empire and finally collapsed in on itself, making it fairly easy for opposing forces to defeat and gradually remove the force that was Rome from any of the World Powers
Any additional comments?
I would recommend this audio to anyone wanting to study Rome.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Andy
- 13-01-14
Very good history
If you could sum up The History of Ancient Rome in three words, what would they be?
Informative, well structure and interesting
What about Professor Garrett G. Fagan’s performance did you like?
Very informative an easy style to listen to, some of the asides are quite funny.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Its too huge a subject (and too long) to do in one sitting. There is so much to absorb that I listened one or two lectures at a time.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Sam
- 13-10-21
Absolutely fantastic
Startlingly clear. Gripping. Right amount of speed vs depth. Bear with it past the 1st couple of lectures on methodology. It gets better fast.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Ian
- 03-04-21
Brilliant narration, superb content
Can’t recommend this highly enough. Fagan’s delivery is engaging, learned as well as witty. It’s a tragedy that he died so young... this is a fine testimony to an historian who would no doubt be on our screens now, a la Mary Beard or Michael Scott, if he had still been around.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Ellis
- 16-08-19
Informative and Thought provoking
I thought this audio book was brilliantly done, rather than a chronological tick box exercise the speaker is adept at explaining wider themes and explaining the different narratives that make up the history of the Roman Empire without just listing dates and events.
He also has a good sense of humour at points when going into some of the more bizzare events that happened.
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1 person found this helpful