Emperors of Rome

By: Garrett G. Fagan, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Garrett G. Fagan

What sort of men were the Roman emperors (and were they all men)? What background and training, if any, prepared them for their awesome responsibilities? What depravities did they display? And what achievements can they claim: laws passed, monuments built, lands and peoples conquered?

Dive into these questions and more with this introduction to the complex personalities of emperors such as Augustus, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. These thirty-six gripping lectures bring to life the many emperors of Rome from the turn of the 1st century to the transition to the Middle Ages. For more than five centuries, these emperors-a checkered mix of the wise, the brutal, and the unhinged-presided over a multi-ethnic empire that was nearly always at war.

Professor Fagan takes you deep into ancient Rome, asking: How did this system of rule come about? What did it replace? And who were the colorful, cruel, and crafty men who filled the almost omnipotent post of emperor? One of the most intriguing questions about the emperorship is why it endured for so long.

As you witness the reigns of the successive rulers unfold, you will see how the office evolved with the political forces that sustained it, becoming more and more tightly bound to the military. Each step toward despotism was taken with a view toward expedience. But when that step became the new normal, it paved the way for the next step, and so on. As you explore these questions, you'll also study the amalgam of eyewitness reports, later compilations, archaeological remains, and inscriptions on monuments and coins. Contemporary accounts, when available, are not necessarily to be trusted, which means you play the role of detective, sifting for the truth of this spellbinding era.

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

©2007 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2007 The Great Courses

Thoughtful comments researched history told by an extraordinary scholar.

I appreciate the detail and research explaining his interpretations and “lessons learned “ that are relevant to today.

An Absolute Brilliant Piece

I know long and factual lectures aren't for everyone, but if you're wanting to listen to the history of the Emperor's of Rome, minus a lot of unnecessary "fluff" then I can't recommend this enough. To be honest, I'll recommend it even if you don't because I enjoyed it so much. I've listened to it 3 times now and find myself going to certain parts I feel like listening to. Do yourself a favor and get this if you're even remotely interested in the chronology of the caesars of the Roman Empire.

Wonderful

Garrett has become one of my favorite narrators and historian on Roman history. He keeps his opinion mostly out of the material and he's a lively narrator who has given us an entertaining history of Roman history.

History for the ages for all ages

Dr. Fagan could not present a more understandable yet thorough lesson! His legacy will continue to live on through his teaching. He is truly missed by Academia, arm chair scholars and most importantly his family. I am but a blue-collar middle
American dad and yet Garrett Fagan presents history in a language for all to understand. Perhaps one day his family and affiliated learning institutions will read this. Thank you Dr. Fagan

Rise of Augustus to Death of Constantine the Great

typical biographies of these great emperors and their reigns. several dynasties are surveyed and grouped together but about the latter lectures of the 20s, the professor returns and gives a topical comparisons of the relationships between the Emperors and the City of Rome, the hierarchies of social state, the provinces, the army.

excellent survey course on Ancient Rome.