Rubicon
The Triumph and Tragedy of the Roman Republic
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Narrated by:
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Tom Holland
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By:
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Tom Holland
About this listen
'The book that really held me, in fact, obsessed me, was Rubicon . . . This is narrative history at its best. Bloody and labyrinthine political intrigue and struggle, brilliant oratory, amazing feats of conquest and cruelty' Ian McEwan, Books of the Year, Guardian
'Re-evaluating Rome for a new generation' Robert Harris, Sunday Times
'Marvellously readable' Niall Ferguson
The Roman Republic was the most remarkable state in history. What began as a small community of peasants camped among marshes and hills ended up ruling the known world. Rubicon paints a vivid portrait of the Republic at the climax of its greatness—the same greatness which would herald the catastrophe of its fall.
It is a story of incomparable drama. This was the century of Julius Caesar, the gambler whose addiction to glory led him to the banks of the Rubicon, and beyond; of Cicero, whose defence of freedom would make him a byword for eloquence; of Spartacus, the slave who dared to challenge a superpower; of Cleopatra, the queen who did the same.
Tom Holland brings to life this strange and unsettling civilization, with its extremes of ambition and self-sacrifice, bloodshed and desire. Yet alien as it was, the Republic still holds up a mirror to us. Its citizens were obsessed by celebrity chefs, all-night dancing and exotic pets; they fought elections in law courts and were addicted to spin; they toppled foreign tyrants in the name of self-defence. Two thousand years may have passed, but we remain the Romans' heirs.
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2004 SAMUEL JOHNSON PRIZE
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2003 HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS
Critic reviews
What listeners say about Rubicon
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- Ted
- 07-07-24
wonderful detailed history
Rubicon is an echo from the past being projected onto our modern times, love this book.
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- Steven Walley
- 20-07-24
wonderful narration
Tom Holland has am excellent storytelling ability. Ripping yarns, woven together by a masterful author. Rubicon is highly recommended.
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- philip cantliffe
- 18-10-24
concise and interesting throughout
This is an excellent example of what can be achieved in modern scholarship. Interesting throughout and told lovingly.
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- Amazon Customer
- 12-08-24
Excellent
Really enjoyed how much meaning and enthusiasm Tom Holland puts into this excellent book
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- Michael Huntbach
- 03-07-24
A lovely narrative history of the fall of the Republic
A lovely narrative history of the fall of the Republic. really well narrated by the author.l, no one else knows where to put emphasis quite like the original author.
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- Anonymous User
- 31-07-24
Encapsulating
Educational, yet interesting. Very well performed and I’ll be certainly listening to more of mr Hollands work
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- GMW
- 23-10-24
Holland does it again!
Fantastic narrative on the beginnings of Rome through to the start of the reign of Augustus. Written and narrated in such an engaging way. Excellent!!!
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- Anonymous User
- 04-07-24
Great narration
Great narration of a truly remarkable period in world history, and the rise of Caesar and Augustus.
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- Brian
- 22-08-24
Enthralling
Learned so much and it felt almost conversational. Very easy to listen to, didn’t get bored once.
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- Amazon Customer
- 27-08-24
Recounting this history in a very human way.
A occasionally playful yet serious account. I enjoyed hearing the writer’s own voice and tone.
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