Listen free for 30 days
-
The Pillars of Rome
- Book 1 of the Republic Series
- Narrated by: Nick Boulton
- Series: Republic, Book 1
- Length: 12 hrs and 9 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Action & Adventure
People who bought this also bought...
-
Fire in the East - Warrior of Rome
- By: Harry Sidebottom
- Narrated by: Nick Boulton
- Length: 14 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The far-flung and isolated citadel of Arete faces out across the wasteland, awaiting the inevitable invasion. One man is sent to marshal the defences of this lonely city; one man to shore up the crumbling walls of a once indomitable symbol of Roman power; a man whose name itself means war, a man called Ballista.
-
-
Worth Persevering With
- By Simon on 12-07-14
-
Marius' Mules I: The Invasion of Gaul
- Marius' Mules, Book 1
- By: S. J. A. Turney
- Narrated by: Malk Williams
- Length: 17 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is 58 BC, and the mighty Tenth Legion, camped in Northern Italy, prepare for the arrival of the most notorious general in Roman history: Julius Caesar. Marcus Falerius Fronto, commander of the Tenth, is a career soldier and long-time companion of Caesar's. Despite his desire for the simplicity of the military life, he cannot help but be drawn into intrigue and politics as Caesar engineers a motive to invade the lands of Gaul.
-
-
At Last!! Something else worth listening to!
- By Anonymous User on 07-03-20
-
Vindolanda
- By: Adrian Goldsworthy
- Narrated by: Peter Noble
- Length: 14 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
AD, 98. The bustling army base at Vindolanda lies on the northern frontier of Britannia and the entire Roman world. In just over 20 years' time, the Emperor Hadrian will build his famous wall. But for now, defences are weak as tribes rebel against Rome. It falls to Flavius Ferox, Briton and Roman centurion, to keep the peace. But it will take more than just a soldier's courage to survive life in Roman Britain.
-
-
First class novel...
- By Ray Carpenter on 31-01-18
-
Sons of Rome
- Rise of Emperors, Book 1
- By: Gordon Doherty, Simon Turney
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 15 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As twilight descends on the third century AD, the Roman Empire is but a shadow of its former self. Decades of usurping emperors, splinter kingdoms and savage wars have left the people beleaguered, the armies weary and the future uncertain. And into this chaos Emperor Diocletian steps, reforming the succession to allow for not one emperor to rule the world, but four. Meanwhile, two boys share a chance meeting in the great city of Treverorum as Diocletian's dream is announced to the imperial court.
-
-
DOHERTY AND TURNEY ARE FORMIDABLE.
- By Dean on 09-03-21
-
France
- A Short History: From Gaul to de Gaulle
- By: John Julius Norwich
- Narrated by: John Julius Norwich
- Length: 15 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
John Julius Norwich (at 88) has finally written the book he always wanted to write, the extremely colourful story of the country he loves best. From frowning Roman generals and belligerent Gallic chieftains to Charlemagne through Marie Antoinette and the storming of the Bastille to Vichy, the Resistance and beyond, France is packed with heroes and villains, adventures and battles, romance and revolution. Full of memorable stories and racy anecdotes, this is the country that has inspired the rest of the world to live, dress, eat - and love better.
-
-
A Love letter to France
- By Daniel Johnstone on 09-04-18
-
Midshipman Bolitho
- By: Alexander Kent
- Narrated by: Michael Jayston
- Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
October 1772, Portsmouth. Sixteen-year-old Richard Bolitho waits to join the Gorgon, ordered to sail to the west coast of Africa and to destroy those who challenge the King's Navy. For Bolitho, and for many of the crew, it is a severe and testing initiation into the game of seamanship.
-
-
chapters all messed up
- By Jamie on 28-11-18
-
Fire in the East - Warrior of Rome
- By: Harry Sidebottom
- Narrated by: Nick Boulton
- Length: 14 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The far-flung and isolated citadel of Arete faces out across the wasteland, awaiting the inevitable invasion. One man is sent to marshal the defences of this lonely city; one man to shore up the crumbling walls of a once indomitable symbol of Roman power; a man whose name itself means war, a man called Ballista.
-
-
Worth Persevering With
- By Simon on 12-07-14
-
Marius' Mules I: The Invasion of Gaul
- Marius' Mules, Book 1
- By: S. J. A. Turney
- Narrated by: Malk Williams
- Length: 17 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is 58 BC, and the mighty Tenth Legion, camped in Northern Italy, prepare for the arrival of the most notorious general in Roman history: Julius Caesar. Marcus Falerius Fronto, commander of the Tenth, is a career soldier and long-time companion of Caesar's. Despite his desire for the simplicity of the military life, he cannot help but be drawn into intrigue and politics as Caesar engineers a motive to invade the lands of Gaul.
-
-
At Last!! Something else worth listening to!
- By Anonymous User on 07-03-20
-
Vindolanda
- By: Adrian Goldsworthy
- Narrated by: Peter Noble
- Length: 14 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
AD, 98. The bustling army base at Vindolanda lies on the northern frontier of Britannia and the entire Roman world. In just over 20 years' time, the Emperor Hadrian will build his famous wall. But for now, defences are weak as tribes rebel against Rome. It falls to Flavius Ferox, Briton and Roman centurion, to keep the peace. But it will take more than just a soldier's courage to survive life in Roman Britain.
-
-
First class novel...
- By Ray Carpenter on 31-01-18
-
Sons of Rome
- Rise of Emperors, Book 1
- By: Gordon Doherty, Simon Turney
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 15 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As twilight descends on the third century AD, the Roman Empire is but a shadow of its former self. Decades of usurping emperors, splinter kingdoms and savage wars have left the people beleaguered, the armies weary and the future uncertain. And into this chaos Emperor Diocletian steps, reforming the succession to allow for not one emperor to rule the world, but four. Meanwhile, two boys share a chance meeting in the great city of Treverorum as Diocletian's dream is announced to the imperial court.
-
-
DOHERTY AND TURNEY ARE FORMIDABLE.
- By Dean on 09-03-21
-
France
- A Short History: From Gaul to de Gaulle
- By: John Julius Norwich
- Narrated by: John Julius Norwich
- Length: 15 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
John Julius Norwich (at 88) has finally written the book he always wanted to write, the extremely colourful story of the country he loves best. From frowning Roman generals and belligerent Gallic chieftains to Charlemagne through Marie Antoinette and the storming of the Bastille to Vichy, the Resistance and beyond, France is packed with heroes and villains, adventures and battles, romance and revolution. Full of memorable stories and racy anecdotes, this is the country that has inspired the rest of the world to live, dress, eat - and love better.
-
-
A Love letter to France
- By Daniel Johnstone on 09-04-18
-
Midshipman Bolitho
- By: Alexander Kent
- Narrated by: Michael Jayston
- Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
October 1772, Portsmouth. Sixteen-year-old Richard Bolitho waits to join the Gorgon, ordered to sail to the west coast of Africa and to destroy those who challenge the King's Navy. For Bolitho, and for many of the crew, it is a severe and testing initiation into the game of seamanship.
-
-
chapters all messed up
- By Jamie on 28-11-18
-
Blood on the Crown
- Struggle for the Crown, Book 1
- By: Griff Hosker
- Narrated by: Marston York
- Length: 10 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Will, son of Harry, is about to join one of the freebooting mercenaries who serve the Black Prince in Gascony and Spain. Soldiers of fortune, they fight for pay and for loot. Circumstances mean that he comes to the attention of the heir to the English throne, Prince Edward, and is chosen as the bodyguard for his sons, Edward and Richard. When the Black Prince dies before his father and his elder brother, Edward, also dies, a young Richard of Bordeaux becomes heir to the throne, and Will has a greater responsibility than he expected.
-
-
Disappointed
- By David G. on 11-01-20
-
War at the Edge of the World
- Twilight of Empire, Book 1
- By: Ian Ross
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 12 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Once a soldier in an elite legion from the Danube, Aurelius Castus believes his glory days are over, stuck in Britain's provincial backwater. But history is about to take a hand and when the king of the Picts, the savage people beyond Hadrian's Wall, dies in mysterious circumstances, Castus is selected to command the bodyguard of a Roman envoy sent to negotiate with the barbarians. But the diplomatic mission ends in bloody tragedy…
-
-
Rivals the best in this genre
- By Anonymous User on 22-11-18
-
Omerta
- By: Mario Puzo
- Narrated by: Richard Ferrone
- Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When an important Mafia boss is assassinated, no one knows anything. Omerta, the Mafia code of silence, is at work. No information is to be found, not from corrupt banks, rival gangs, or even from the courts. However, the nephew of the dead man and the head of the FBI are determined to track down the murderers. So determined, they join forces to begin their own investigation. After all, in the Mafia world, everyone has a price.
-
-
The Godnephew
- By Brooksies on 27-04-14
-
Magnus and the Crossroads Brotherhood
- By: Robert Fabbri
- Narrated by: Peter Kenny
- Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Marcus Salvius Magnus, leader of the South Quirinal Crossroads Brotherhood, has long dominated his part of Rome's criminal underworld. From rival gangs and unpaid debts to rigged chariot races and blood feuds - if you have a problem, Magnus is the man to solve it. But while Magnus inhabits the underbelly of the city, his patron, Gaius Vespasius Pollo, moves in a different circle. As a senator, he needs men like Magnus to do his dirty work....
-
Keane's Company
- By: Iain Gale
- Narrated by: David Timson
- Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Welcome to James Keane – card sharp and ladies’ man – and one of the finest soldiers of Wellington’s army. Keane – hot-tempered, a maverick, never quite accepted by his fellow officers – is in trouble for killing his man in a duel: An activity forbidden by Wellington. To avoid court martial, he takes on an unwelcome assignment: to form an ill-assorted bunch of reprobates into an elite unit capable of operating behind the lines. A nineteenth-century Dirty Dozen.
-
-
Decent Enough
- By Simon on 31-08-15
-
Stalin
- New Biography of a Dictator
- By: Oleg V. Khlevniuk, Nora Seligman Favorov - translator
- Narrated by: Peter Ganim
- Length: 18 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This essential biography, by the author most deeply familiar with the vast archives of the Soviet era, offers an unprecedented, fine-grained portrait of Stalin, the man and dictator. Without mythologizing Stalin as either benevolent or an evil genius, Khlevniuk resolves numerous controversies about specific events in the dictator's life while assembling many hundreds of previously unknown letters, memos, reports, and diaries into a comprehensive, compelling narrative of a life that altered the course of world history.
-
-
Not bad, but...
- By Alan Myers on 11-06-19
-
The Lost Army of Cambyses
- By: Paul Sussman
- Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
- Length: 16 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 523 BC, the Persian pharaoh Cambyses dispatched an army across Egypt's western desert to destroy the oracle at Siwa. Legend has it that somewhere in the middle of the Great Dune Sea his army was overwhelmed by a sandstorm and lost forever. Two and a half millennia later, a mutilated corpse is washed up on the banks of the Nile at Luxor, an antiques dealer is savagely murdered in Cairo, and a British archaeologist is found dead at the ancient necropolis of Saqqara.
-
-
I wasn't convinced.
- By jonas on 20-03-17
-
The Story of China
- A Portrait of a Civilisation and Its People
- By: Michael Wood
- Narrated by: Michael Wood
- Length: 23 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
China is the oldest living civilisation on earth, but its history is still surprisingly little known in the wider world. Michael Wood's sparkling narrative, which mingles the grand sweep with local and personal stories, woven together with the author’s own travel journals, is an enthralling account of China’s 4000-year-old tradition, taking in life stationed on the Great Wall or inside the Forbidden City.
-
-
Ruined by the narrator
- By George on 20-12-20
-
Conquerors
- How Portugal Seized the Indian Ocean and Forged the First Global Empire
- By: Roger Crowley
- Narrated by: John Sackville
- Length: 11 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As remarkable as Columbus and the conquistador expeditions, the history of Portuguese exploration is now almost forgotten. But Portugal's navigators cracked the code of the Atlantic winds, launched the expedition of Vasco da Gama to India and beat the Spanish to the spice kingdoms of the East - then set about creating the first long-range maritime empire.
-
-
Conquistadors versus Sinbad
- By Jim on 16-01-16
-
Master of War
- By: David Gilman
- Narrated by: Daniel Philpott
- Length: 16 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
England, 1346. For Thomas Blackstone the choice is easy - dance on the end of a rope for a murder he did not commit, or join the king's invasion. As he fights his way across northern France, Blackstone learns the brutal lessons of war. Vastly outnumbered, Edward III's army will finally confront the armoured might of the French nobility on the field of Crécy. It is a battle that will change the history of warfare.
-
-
Part one is good.
- By mrmalaya on 11-09-17
-
Wolf of Wessex
- By: Matthew Harffy
- Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards
- Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
AD 838. Deep in the forests of Wessex, Dunston's solitary existence is shattered when he stumbles on a mutilated corpse. Accused of the murder, Dunston must clear his name and keep the dead man's daughter alive in the face of savage pursuers desperate to prevent a terrible secret from being revealed. Rushing through Wessex, Dunston will need to use all the skills of survival garnered from a lifetime in the wilderness.
-
-
Classic Old Grizzly Tale!
- By Simon on 08-03-20
-
Empire of Blue Water
- Henry Morgan and the Pirates Who Ruled the Carribean Waves
- By: Stephan Talty
- Narrated by: David Bauckham
- Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
He challenged the greatest empires on earth with a ragtag bunch of renegades - and brought it to its knees. Henry Morgan crossed the Atlantic in 1655, hell-bent on making his fortune. Awash with bloody battles, political intrigues, and natural disasters, Empire of Blue Water brilliantly re-creates the passion and the violence of the age of exploration and empire.
-
-
Swashbuckling in the real world
- By Dave on 02-07-12
Summary
With barbarians at the gate and enemies within, two men must fight for the soul of the Republic. In a cave hacked out of rock, two young boys appeal to the famed Roman oracle for a glimpse into their future. In the flickering torchlight, the Sybil draws the blood-red shape of an eagle with wings outstretched: an omen of death. As they flee the cave in fear, Aulus and Lucius make an oath of loyalty until death. An oath that will be tested in the years to come.
Narrator Nick Boulton brings this story of prophecy, courage, history, and adventure to powerful life in this audio edition of the opening chapter of the Republic series.
Critic reviews
More from the same
What listeners say about The Pillars of Rome
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 12-09-20
Roman remains
Enjoyed the story, would have liked it better if hadn't kept jumping back and forwards in time but was a continuous storyline.
It was very well read, the reader gave different voice interpretations.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
- Craig
- 23-12-12
Not bad
It's a little stiff but not a bad start to what is clearly intended to be a (perhaps lengthy) series of books. Also picks out an era of Roman history not tackled by anyone else I've read, which I guess everyone in this genre needs to do if they want to succeed. Characterisation is a little one-dimensional and cliched but that will hopefully improve in later books, which I do plan to get around to at some point.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Graham Gittins
- 23-11-18
Two kids and a prediction ...
I enjoyed the usual Roman back stabbing politics. Looking forward to see where it goes next, revenge, more back stabbing, war ?
-
Overall
- JARS
- 29-12-12
Beautifully written
Unmissable. Firm favourite read by all the family. Thoroughly engaging. Have read twice already. Have four boys who all loved it aged between 16 and 23.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Abigail
- 21-01-12
Action Packed History, Great Narration
What a fantastic story! I was sucked in from the first moment and loved following Ludlow's dynamic and likable characters. It is an incredably interesting time in rome's history as the republic breaks down, the nobility struggle with the demands of the poor and the provinces for rights and the growing threat of unified hostile tribes. The characters are on all sides and often their loyalties are divided. The scenes of battle are as compelling as the political plots. I'm not sure why there is the bad review. The narration is wonderful and I looked for other books by Boulton because I liked it so much. However, since taste differs I would urge people to always listen to the sample of an unfamiliar narrator. I thought this was a book that could reach outside the genre to those who may not be fascinated by history or ancient Rome. The author does take time to develope his characters and plot in a thoughtful way but I do not feel this slows the action, or makes the book too cerebral. It is a more intelligent page turner however, and if you are looking for a book as light as a sitcom you may be disappointed. I would highly recommend this book.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Judith A. Weller
- 06-08-12
An Exciting Beginning of a Great Series
This book, historically, is set in the period of early Roman Republic during the murder of Tiberius Gracchus over his land reform program. The author then combines various tales from the Illyrian wars as his setting for one of his characters. The book has two main character, Senator Lucius whom he makes the murderer of Gracchus and the great General Aulus Macedonicus who will die in a fight with Illyrians.
This books sets up the political and military adventures of the two main character and introduce what will be the stars of the later books in the series - the the sons of the Aulus and Lucius. Both men are standins for the political and military symbols of the Republics - Aulus their greatest general and Lucius the most powerful Senator.
The prolog ties Aulus and Lucius together by a visit to the Sybilline cave and a prophcy made to the two boys. This book and later books is about the fulfillment of that prophecy.
The book gives a good picture of the policial machinations in Rome of the time and how both men wielded power. The scene in the Senate where Aulus swears that Lucius did not murder Tiberius is very powerful indeed.
For the sake of the story several anachronisms are introduced. I really doubt if Aulus or any Roman General would take his wife on Campaign in Gaul. But of course this is done so that the wife, Claudia, can be captured and impregnated by the Gallic Priest Brennos and then giver birth to a major character in the laster novels. Had this happened in reality a Roman General would have killed his wife or had her kill herfself rather than bear the child of a barbarin. So I found that whole bit about Claudia and her son by Brennos truly unbelievable -- even as a plot device it ranks pretty low.
But that aside the story is an excellent set up for the following two books which deal with the offspring of these two men.
This is an exciting book and very well read. Despite the anachronisms it does not ruin the story for the reader, although I really hated to see the death of Aulus who was my favorite character..
Anyone interested in historical fiction set in Rome will not want to miss this book. What is so interesting is that so many books are set in Imperial times, it is nice to find one set in the early days of the Republic.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Jonathan Daws
- 04-01-15
Great start to the story
If you could sum up The Pillars of Rome in three words, what would they be?
Great story of political intrigue in Republican Rome.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Nerva. Even though he is not the most likeable, he is very interesting.
What does Nick Boulton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
He gave a flawless performance. Great character voices and clear reading.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Not all at once, but still a gripping story.
Any additional comments?
Very good development of a broad cast of characters. While opposed to each other, you get to see their individual motivations. No character is completely good or bad.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Robert
- 27-12-11
Don't Bother
What disappointed you about The Pillars of Rome?
This is the slowest, worst performed book I have ever tried to listen to. I wish I could get a refund it is so bad. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ you can sleep through the soap operatic story line of droll details and conversations done in an unapologetic English dialect. Nothing redeemable in this book...Stay Away!
What was most disappointing about Jack Ludlow’s story?
SSSSLLLLLOOOOOOOWWWWWW story line with British accents and nooooo action.
How could the performance have been better?
This book should be recommended for teenage girls....pathetic
What character would you cut from The Pillars of Rome?
I would just burn the book.
Any additional comments?
Can I have that refund?
1 person found this helpful