
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
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The evolution of the Arab empire is one of the supreme narratives of ancient history, a story dazzlingly rich in drama, character, and achievement. In this exciting and sweeping history - the third in his trilogy of books on the ancient world - Tom Holland describes how the Arabs emerged to carve out a stupefyingly vast dominion in a matter of decades, overcoming seemingly insuperable odds to create an imperial civilization.
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Misleading title
- By Edd Huetteman on 04-08-16
By: Tom Holland
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The Storm Before the Storm
- The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic
- By: Mike Duncan
- Narrated by: Mike Duncan
- Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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The Roman Republic was one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of civilization. After its founding in 509 BCE, the Romans refused to allow a single leader to seize control of the state and grab absolute power. The Roman commitment to cooperative government and peaceful transfers of power was unmatched in the history of the ancient world. But by the year 133 BCE, the republican system was unable to cope with the vast empire Rome now ruled.
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Interesting, albeit a bit dry
- By Aria on 11-14-17
By: Mike Duncan
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The Rest Is History
- From Ancient Rome to Ronald Reagan—History's Most Curious Questions, Answered
- By: Goalhanger Podcasts Ltd
- Narrated by: Tom Holland, Dominic Sandbrook
- Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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This entertaining companion to the massively popular history podcast tackles everything from Alexander the Great to Agatha Christie, the Wars of the Roses to Watergate—with a unique blend of wit, wisdom, and good old-fashioned banter. Featuring an introduction from podcast hosts Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, this book cleverly demonstrates that the past—from modern to ancient and every time in between—is both closer to us than we might realize and bafflingly strange, all at once.
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History is fun!
- By Brent Orrell on 03-10-24
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Henry VIII: The Quest for Fame
- Penguin Monarchs, Book 2
- By: John Guy
- Narrated by: John Banks
- Length: 3 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Henry VIII: The Quest for Fame by John Guy, read by John Banks. Henry VIII's reign transformed the physical and spiritual landscape of England. Magnificent, tyrannical, a strong ruler, a 'pillager of the commonwealth', this most notorious of kings remains a figure of extreme contradictions: a devout traditionalist who oversaw a cataclysmic rupture with the church in Rome, a talented, charismatic, imposing figure who nevertheless could not bear to meet people's eyes when he talked to them.
By: John Guy
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The Lives of the Caesars
- By: Suetonius, Tom Holland - introduction translator
- Narrated by: Justin Avoth, Tom Holland
- Length: 15 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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The ancient Roman empire was the supreme arena, where emperors had no choice but to fight, to thrill, to dazzle. To rule as a Caesar was to stand as an actor upon the great stage of the world. No biographies invite us into the lives of the Caesars more vividly or intimately than those by Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, written from the center of Rome and power, in the early 2nd century AD. By placing each Caesar in the context of the generations that had gone before, and connecting personality with policy, Suetonius succeeded in painting Rome’s ultimate portraits of power.
By: Suetonius, and others
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Carthage Must Be Destroyed
- The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Civilization
- By: Richard Miles
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 14 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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An epic history of a doomed civilization and a lost empire. The devastating struggle to the death between the Carthaginians and the Romans was one of the defining dramas of the ancient world. In an epic series of land and sea battles, both sides came close to victory before the Carthaginians finally succumbed and their capital city, history, and culture were almost utterly erased.
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Outstanding! This is THE book on Carthage.
- By Haakon B. Dahl on 01-21-13
By: Richard Miles
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SPQR
- A History of Ancient Rome
- By: Mary Beard
- Narrated by: Phyllida Nash
- Length: 18 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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In SPQR, world-renowned classicist Mary Beard narrates the unprecedented rise of a civilization that even 2,000 years later still shapes many of our most fundamental assumptions about power, citizenship, responsibility, political violence, empire, luxury, and beauty.
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Shallow and unsatisfying
- By Joe on 02-19-17
By: Mary Beard
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Emperor of Rome
- Ruling the Ancient World
- By: Mary Beard
- Narrated by: Mary Beard
- Length: 14 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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In her international bestseller SPQR, Mary Beard told the thousand-year story of ancient Rome. Now she shines her spotlight on the emperors who ruled the Roman empire, from Julius Caesar (assassinated 44 BCE) to Alexander Severus (assassinated 235 CE). Emperor of Rome is not your usual chronological account of Roman rulers, one after another: the mad Caligula, the monster Nero, the philosopher Marcus Aurelius.
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Wasn't sure but won me over
- By John S. on 01-26-24
By: Mary Beard
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The Poison King
- The Life and Legend of Mithradates, Rome’s Deadliest Enemy
- By: Adrienne Mayor
- Narrated by: Paul Hecht
- Length: 15 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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A National Book Award finalist for this epic work, Adrienne Mayor delivers a gripping account of Mithradates, the ruthless visionary who began to challenge Rome’s power in 120 B.C. Machiavelli praised his military genius. Kings coveted his secret elixir against poison. Poets celebrated his victories, intrigues, and panache. But until now, no one has told the full story of his incredible life.
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A mythic & complicated life of a charismatic King
- By Darwin8u on 06-15-13
By: Adrienne Mayor
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Caesar
- Life of a Colossus
- By: Adrian Goldsworthy
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 24 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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Tracing the extraordinary trajectory of Julius Caesar's life, Adrian Goldsworthy covers not only the great Roman emperor's accomplishments as charismatic orator, conquering general, and powerful dictator but also lesser-known chapters. Ultimately, Goldsworthy realizes the full complexity of Caesar's character and shows why his political and military leadership continues to resonate some 2,000 years later.
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Caesar and his times
- By Mike From Mesa on 08-31-15
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The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
- By: Edward Gibbon
- Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
- Length: 126 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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Here in a single volume is the entire, unabridged recording of Gibbon's masterpiece. Beginning in the second century A.D. at the apex of the Pax Romana, Gibbon traces the arc of decline and complete destruction through the centuries across Europe and the Mediterranean. It is a thrilling and cautionary tale of splendor and ruin, of faith and hubris, and of civilization and barbarism. Follow along as Christianity overcomes paganism... before itself coming under intense pressure from Islam.
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Masterpiece - Best Audiobook I’ve Listened To
- By Student on 09-18-18
By: Edward Gibbon
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Twelve Caesars
- Images of Power from the Ancient World to the Modern (Bollingen Series)
- By: Mary Beard
- Narrated by: Mary Beard
- Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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What does the face of power look like? Who gets commemorated in art and why? And how do we react to statues of politicians we deplore? In this book - against a background of today’s “sculpture wars” - Mary Beard tells the story of how for more than two millennia portraits of the rich, powerful, and famous in the Western world have been shaped by the image of Roman emperors, especially the “Twelve Caesars”, from the ruthless Julius Caesar to the fly-torturing Domitian.
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This foray into art history is a disappointment.
- By Stephen J Chiulli on 11-10-21
By: Mary Beard
What listeners say about Rubicon
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- Clint Little
- 05-01-25
August
This was a great addition in understanding the journey from Republic to empire along with Dan Carlins series and the great courses history of Rome.
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- Brian Orion
- 03-16-25
Epic Tale
Tom Holland tells real history like an epic story. He has a way of looking at past events and weaving an entertaining story while making unique observations. His writing zooms in closely on the details then back out again to show us the big picture. This was the first of his books that I have read, or should I correctly say, listened to. I cannot wait to start another one, and I cannot imagine hearing it read by anyone else.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Mary Austin
- 05-01-25
Sweeping narrative history
I loved the personal details, drama and flow. He wove stories together in a way that captivated my attention.
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- The Quilted Wayfarers
- 03-07-25
Amazing narrative history of Roman days of old
First in a series of 3. Tom Holland is an amazing author and the language brings history to life. The tales of Julius Caesar, first dictators, kings, cleopatra… excited to read more from him.
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- Andres Murcia
- 04-20-25
Riveting
Holland brilliantly intertwines the narrative of Cesear with a lens into daily life under the Roman republic
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- Gudgeir Kristmundsson
- 08-06-24
Wonderful book about the last decades of the Roman republic and its major players
For all that are interested in this remarkable history, this book is a mandatory read.
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- Doug
- 12-20-24
A phenomenally written book
Tom Holland does a stupendous job in navigating through the final days of the Roman Republic. A must read in understanding the background leading into the Roman Empire.
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- Cole B
- 02-03-25
The Republic Collapses
Holland lays out a narrative history of the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of imperial autocracy. The parallels between modern first world democracies and Ancient Rome are hard to miss.
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- Marteinn Úlfur
- 12-16-24
Story of the Fall of the republic told in a very lively manner.
Rubicon was an absolute joy to read. It’s a brilliant dive into the Roman Republic and its fall, but what really stood out to me was how the author, Tom Holland, makes history feel alive. Instead of just listing dates and events, he tells the story in such a fun and engaging way that it almost felt like reading a novel at times.
What I loved most was how Holland brought the people of Rome to life. He doesn’t just focus on the big names like Caesar, Cicero, and Pompey (though they’re fascinating, too); he really gives you a sense of what life was like for the average Roman during this chaotic and transformative time. You can feel the tension, ambition, and uncertainty that must have hung over the Republic as it stumbled toward its end.
The way he captures the drama and personalities involved is incredible. Holland paints such vivid pictures of these historical figures that you almost feel like you’re right there, watching everything unfold. It’s a rare skill to make ancient history this exciting and relatable, but he absolutely nails it.
If you’re even a little curious about the Roman Republic or how one of the greatest civilizations in history fell apart, this is a perfect book to pick up. It’s not heavy or dry—it’s thoughtful, immersive, and packed with insight. I’d recommend Rubicon to anyone who loves history or just a really great story.
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- kol
- 01-17-25
Interesting details
Rubicon reads like an ancient soap opera. It kept me riveted. Tom H included all kinds of detail that I have never heard before. This book covers from mid 130’s BCE to 27BCE which is basically the decline and fall of the Roman Republic. Such an interesting period told with such style by Mr Holland.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in Roman history.
Someone reading their first book on ancient Rome should, in my opinion, read an overview first and then read Rubicon. You will appreciate Rubicon even more.
For the overview I suggest Mike Duncan’s fantastic History of Rome podcast episodes 29 through 53.
I listened to Rubicon on Audible and the fact that Tom reads it himself adds much value.
I know him so well from The Rest is History podcast that he seems like a long time acquaintance. (And hello Dominic).
I give the book 6 stars out of 5.
PS Tom’s vocabulary is wider than mine. I went to the dictionary many times and have thus increased my own vocab!
Now for Dynasty!
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1 person found this helpful