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The Storm Before the Storm

The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic

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The Storm Before the Storm

By: Mike Duncan
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About this listen

 From the creator of the award-winning podcast series The History of Rome and Revolutions comes the "remarkably engaging" (Washington Post) history of the bloody battles, political machinations, and human drama that set the stage for the fall of the Roman Republic.

The Roman Republic was one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of civilization. Beginning as a small city-state in central Italy, Rome gradually expanded into a wider world filled with petty tyrants, barbarian chieftains, and despotic kings. Through the centuries, Rome's model of cooperative and participatory government remained remarkably durable and unmatched in the history of the ancient world.

In 146 BC, Rome finally emerged as the strongest power in the Mediterranean. But the very success of the Republic proved to be its undoing. The republican system was unable to cope with the vast empire Rome now ruled: rising economic inequality disrupted traditional ways of life, endemic social and ethnic prejudice led to clashes over citizenship and voting rights, and rampant corruption and ruthless ambition sparked violent political clashes that cracked the once indestructible foundations of the Republic.

Chronicling the years 146-78 BC, The Storm Before the Storm dives headlong into the first generation to face this treacherous new political environment. Abandoning the ancient principles of their forbearers, men like Marius, Sulla, and the Gracchi brothers set dangerous new precedents that would start the Republic on the road to destruction and provide a stark warning about what can happen to a civilization that has lost its way. Ancient Military Politics & Government Rome World Italy Ancient History Eastern Roman Empire

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Critic reviews

"Mike Duncan's popular podcast, The History of Rome and Revolutions, packed facts, dry humor and historical parallels into easily digestible 20-minute episodes. His new book, The Storm Before The Storm, focuses on the decades that led up to the fall of the Republic. From income inequality to questions about who does and doesn't deserve citizenship to the rise of populism, it's consistently surprising how the issues we're facing today were relevant two millennia ago. And if you're worried about those parallels, this book provides a dose of reassurance. We're divided, but hey, at least we're not laying siege to our political rivals' cities just yet!"—National Public Radio, Best Books of 2017
"Disentangles well some complex events others neglect."—Wall Street Journal
"Remarkably engaging."—Washington Post
"Marvelous... A highly enjoyable historical narrative that reads almost like a modern political thriller."—New York Journal of Books
"The Storm Before the Storm is massively entertaining and relevant to our own time. All times, in fact. War, politics, money, power, corruption, and class warfare seem to overwhelm the republican Roman political system and the results are horrifying. Huge personalities like Marius and Sulla cast a large shadow, but forces beyond anyone's control seem to drive the narrative. A chilling reminder of what can happen in any republic. Masterfully told."—Dan Carlin, host of Hardcore History podcast
"An amazingly enjoyable history... With his fresh approach, Mike Duncan shows that it is important to understand what happened two thousand years ago to understand what is happening now and in the coming centuries."—Washington Book Review
"Never has a book about history that's two millennia old been so timely. Duncan, in the sort of narrative prose that caused his podcasts to electrify history lovers everywhere, tells the story of the decay of Republican Rome-and its contemporary relevance drips off every page. The Storm Before the Storm has everything from vividly portrayed populist demagogues exploiting economic and social inequality to the failure of calcified republican institutions to adapt to changing circumstances. You'll learn as much about the problems we face today from this book as from any newspaper."—Benjamin Wittes, editor-in-chief of Lawfare and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution
"Written with the humor and the storytelling instincts that made him such a popular podcaster, Duncan brilliantly answers a vital question that is rarely asked: What weakened the late Roman Republic enough that it collapsed under the ambitions of the Caesars? This is history as it should be-compelling, witty, and ultimately revealing."—Lars Brownworth, author of In Distant Lands: A Short History of the Crusades
All stars
Most relevant
Fantastic story on roman revolution written and read by one of my favorite podcasters.

The author has the last years had two podcasts, one on the "History of Rome" and "Revolutions" the man is a master in the art of telling history as an exiting story, where you'll learn a lot!

A fantastic story

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If you're thinking of buying this, then you probably don't need me to introduce the author. This is a superb piece of work from the foremost history podcaster, and maintains the very high standards of which we are used. The narrative flows well, the reading is as smooth as you would expect, and the subject is bought to life perfectly. Buy this audio book, you won't be disappointed

Absolutely Superb

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Excellent, well written book read in the inimitable Mike Duncan style. If you enjoy history thus is for you.

must buy audio book

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After listening, loving and finishing the History of Rome podcast this book was a must listen to for me. It allows you to stay with Rome a bit longer. Also you get an even better notion (if 178 episodes aren't enough) of the enormity of stories there are to tell. You really start to appreciate the fact how hard it must have been for the author to choose what to mention and what not in his podcast.

The first chapter of Storm before the Storm just sucked me right back into the story. The events surrounding the Gracchi brothers are compelling, interesting and unsettling. Also, what does this history tell us about our current democracy? Are we learning from history, or are we just bound to repeat everything again. These were some questions that were entering my mind when listening to this book.

Mike Duncan really understands how to bring a story to live, without choosing sides or to steer you too much. I'm eagerly waiting for his next book on Rome.

Compelling

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The Prelude to the Roman Revolution, told by the simply magnanimous Mike Duncan. Don't skip!

Mike Duncan: A Magnum Opis

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