The History of Ancient Rome

By: Garrett G. Fagan, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Garrett G. Fagan

Length: 22 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Even today, the influence of Ancient Rome is indelible, with Europe and the world owing this extraordinary empire a huge cultural debt in almost every important category of human endeavor, including art, architecture, engineering, language, literature, law, and religion. At the peak of its power, Rome's span was vast. In the regional, restless, and shifting history of continental Europe, the Roman Empire stands as a towering monument to scale and stability, unified in politics and law, stretching from the sands of Syria to the moors of Scotland. And it stood for almost 700 years.

In this series of 48 spirited lectures, you'll see how a small village of shepherds and farmers rose to tower over the civilized world of its day and left a permanent mark on history. In telling Rome's riveting story, Professor Fagan draws on a wealth of primary and secondary sources, including recent historical and archaeological scholarship, to introduce the fascinating tale of Rome's rise and decline, including the famous events and personalities that have become so familiar:

• Horatius at the bridge
• Hannibal crossing the Alps during Rome's life-or-death war with Carthage
• Caesar being assassinated before a statue of his archrival Pompey
• The doomed lovers Antony and Cleopatra
• The mad and venal emperors Nero and Caligula
• The conversion of Constantine.

The course also addresses one of history's greatest questions: Why did the Roman Empire fall? And you'll learn why most modern scholars believe that the empire did not "fall" at all, but, rather, changed into something very different - the less urbanized, more rural, early medieval world.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©1999 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)1999 The Great Courses

Very informative.

I thought I knew much more than I apparently did. This was a very informative fairies.with an excellent speaker.

Ancient Rome

Excellent learning experience! Excellent lecture interesting and clear explanation of events. Held my attention through the whole book.

Good summary of a thousand years

It would have been better if it dealt more deeply with the decline of the empire

Excellent history of Ancient Rome

I highly recommend this work. The professor has a conversational tone which helps make the subject matter easier to grasp

entertaining education

this is what I've been looking for. an education that keeps your attention and available for commutes

I love ancient history.

I love and know ancient Roman history, this is more of an introductory course so I can't say I learned much. however the presentation was fantastic, and I couldn't wait for more.

Fantastic

Professor Fagan does a wonderful job. To the point, easy to follow and packed with fascinating history. Bravo!

loved it!

memorable teacher, great knowledge and unbiased teaching. I wish I had been able to take his class in person. loved it!

Excellent overview of Roman History

Especially for those with limited knowledge, like me. I am interested in early Christian history and needed this in order to gain some context. Very helpful!

Worth the time.

Would you listen to The History of Ancient Rome again? Why?

I will listen to parts of it again. So much to digest. My first real study of the subject. Has me inspired to learn more about the time.

What did you like best about this story?

Speaker is very skilled and weaves a coherent and detailed tour of the time and people. Irish voice is interesting and clear to this American listener. Also skilled at speaking no/very few ums.... or other speech fillers.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Long..... but worth it.