Justinian
Emperor, Soldier, Saint
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Narrated by:
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Mark Elstob
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By:
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Peter Sarris
About this listen
A definitive new biography of the Byzantine emperor Justinian
Justinian is a radical reassessment of an emperor and his times. In the sixth century CE, the emperor Justinian presided over nearly four decades of remarkable change, in an era of geopolitical threats, climate change, and plague. From the eastern Roman—or Byzantine—capital of Constantinople, Justinian’s armies reconquered lost territory in Africa, Italy, and Spain. But these military exploits, historian Peter Sarris shows, were just one part of a larger program of imperial renewal. From his dramatic overhaul of Roman law, to his lavish building projects, to his fierce persecution of dissenters from Orthodox Christianity, Justinian’s vigorous statecraft—and his energetic efforts at self-glorification—not only set the course of Byzantium but also laid the foundations for the world of the Middle Ages.
Even as Justinian sought to recapture Rome’s past greatness, he paved the way for what would follow.
©2023 Peter Sarris (P)2023 Basic BooksListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
“In this comprehensive account…Sarris brings his subject’s world to vivid life. The result is a clear-eyed view of a complex historical figure and his times.”—Publishers Weekly
“A majestic, sparkling account of one of the most important rulers in history. Meticulously researched, beautifully written, filled with insights, this is modern history writing at its finest.”—Peter Frankopan, New York Times-bestselling author of The Silk Roads
“Superb and gripping. Epic historical biography that brings the emperor to life with analysis and empathy and a work of scholarship filled with new ideas and revelations.”—Simon Sebag Montefiore, New York Times-bestselling author of The World
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Do you know how many wives Zeus had? Or how the famous Trojan War was caused by one beautiful lady? Or how Thor got his hammer? Give your imagination a real treat. This Mega Mythology Collection of eight audiobooks is for you....
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An interesting set of introductions.
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Helter Skelter
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Prosecuting attorney in the Manson trial Vincent Bugliosi held a unique insider's position in one of the most baffling and horrifying cases of the 20th century: the cold-blooded Tate-LaBianca murders carried out by Charles Manson and four of his followers. What motivated Manson in his seemingly mindless selection of victims, and what was his hold over the young women who obeyed his orders? Now available for the first time in unabridged audio, the gripping story of this famous and haunting crime is brought to life by acclaimed narrator Scott Brick.
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Everything I remembered about the case was wrong..
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Fingerprints of the Gods
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Fingerprints of the Gods is the revolutionary rewrite of history that has persuaded millions of listeners throughout the world to change their preconceptions about the history behind modern society. An intellectual detective story, this unique history audiobook directs probing questions at orthodox history, presenting disturbing new evidence that historians have tried - but failed - to explain.
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Classic in Historical Mysteries
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The Secret History of Christmas
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Christmas is the single biggest annual event on the planet, a time for merry-making, over-indulgence, peace, goodwill, and the occasional family row. It’s as comfortable and familiar as a pair of old shoes and yet still glittery and exciting. But what do you really know about it? It’s stuffed full of traditions and rituals that most of us have been observing all our lives without having the slightest idea of where they come from.
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Fascinating and Entertaining
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World War 2 in the Pacific Collection: Across Wake Island, Bataan, Guadalcanal, Corregidor, and Iwo Jima
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- By: Robert Lackie, General George C. Kenney, T. Grady Gallant, and others
- Narrated by: Museum Audiobooks Cast
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This is a nine-book bundle on the Pacific War, the theatre of World War II that was fought in Asia, the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean and Oceania. The Pacific War saw the Allies pitted against Japan, aided by Thailand and its Axis allies, Germany and Italy. Fighting included some of the largest naval battles in history, and the war culminated in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
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Good collection, great bargain well worth a credit
- By R. Denton on 08-13-21
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Black Elk Speaks
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Widely hailed as a spiritual classic, this inspirational and unfailingly powerful story reveals the life and visions of the Lakota healer Nicholas Black Elk (1863–1950) and the tragic history of his Sioux people during the epic closing decades of the Old West. In 1930, the aging Black Elk met a kindred spirit, the famed poet, writer, and critic John G. Neihardt (1881–1973) on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
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Tale of tears
- By William Sanders on 01-25-15
By: John G. Neihardt
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disappointing
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What listeners say about Justinian
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Pablo
- 12-29-23
Excellent history
This is an excellent book about a pivotal historical person, one of the greatest roman emperors.
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- Amazon Customer
- 02-04-24
Good telling of Justinian's reign
A great book read by a great reader into what I can only assume was an Xbox Live microphone
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- Paul Eugenio
- 12-02-23
Encompassing modern analysis and easy listen
I learned about this book from the author’s interview with Patrick Wyman, and I am glad I decided to pick it up.
The author provides good critical analysis of the historical sources, while keeping the story clear and engaging. It is not saturated with unnecessary lists of events or dates, but rather weaves a story about the events of the 6th century through the lens of Justinian.
This is not just a rehash of old history, but a thesis on the limits of autocracy and imperial power, tested by the highly energetic and competent Justinian. The author brings together the modern research on climate change, it’s effects on food production, as well as disease patterns, to make a convincing point about the impact of superhuman events.
Mark Elstob’s narration is charmingly weird (as opposed to weirdly charming). It is very high falutin and places dramatic emphasis in perhaps inappropriate places. Nevertheless, I grew to like his style, and believe he was the right choice of narrator for this text. I will definitely look for more of his narration in the future, perhaps next Goldsworthy’s “Rome and Persia”.
In particular, his choice to narrate quotes of Procopius differently was endearing, and also made it clear that it was the ancient historian speaking without needing to say “and Procopius says” every time. The best narrators act out quotes as one might act out characters in fiction, in my opinion. Even if this does skew the perspective we have of the very real historical figure being quoted, it helps to humanize them a bit beyond the monotone text.
Overall this is an excellent audiobook for any historíophile.
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- sam
- 12-14-23
Great
One of the strengths of this book is the way Sarris presents Justinian as a complex and multifaceted figure. He was a skilled strategist and a visionary ruler, but he was also ruthless and prone to bouts of paranoia. Sarris does not shy away from exploring these contradictions, making for a nuanced and balanced portrayal of the emperor.
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- Spencer
- 12-28-23
The best biography of Justinian
The best biography of Justinian out there. This book goes into the good bad and ugly of Justinian as it ebbs and flows through his long rule. It is so detailed that it feels as if it is about an empire and not an emperor.
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- Kevin
- 02-22-24
Excellent, engaging and informative
An excellent biography of a fascinating historical figure. Sarris has a total command of the historiographal material and uses it to weave an utterly compelling picture, drawing on everything from the standard literary accounts to papyrus records and archaeological sites. Easily the best single volume on one of Rome’s most important and interesting figures. The performance is also excellent, including pronunciation of some tricky Latin and Greek terminology. Highly recommended.
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