Rome and the Barbarians

By: Kenneth W. Harl, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Kenneth W. Harl

Length: 18 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

The history of the Romans as they advanced the frontiers of Classical civilization is often told as a story of warfare and conquest - the mighty legions encountering the "barbarians." But this only tells one side of the story.

Who were the Celts, Goths, Huns, and Persians met by the Romans as they marched north and east? What were the political, military, and social institutions that made Rome so stable, allowing its power to be wielded against these different cultures for nearly three centuries? What role did those institutions themselves play in assimilating barbarian peoples?

These 36 engaging lectures tell the story of the complex relationship between each of these native peoples and their Roman conquerors as they intermarried, exchanged ideas and mores, and, in the ensuing provincial Roman cultures, formed the basis of Western European civilization.

You'll study the institutions that made Rome so extraordinary, as well as the extraordinary figures - both Roman and barbarian - whose names have been familiar to us for so long. You'll learn about Augustus, Constantine I, Diocletian, Gaius Julius Caesar, Nero, Attila the Hun, as well as a myriad of figures whose names are less familiar to us.

But these lectures deliver far more than personal snapshots, as compelling as those may be. Professor Harl brings to life the institutions that shaped both Rome and her relationship with, and assimilation of, the barbarians at her constantly expanding frontiers. You'll come away with a new appreciation of how our Western world came to be and detailed knowledge about the individuals from royalty to "barbarian" who played key roles in that process.

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

©2004 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2004 The Great Courses

History of Rome from the Barbarian's Perspective!

Any additional comments?

This is a great book. I can highly recommend anything written by the author/lecturer Professor Kenneth W. Harl. He is thorough and engaging with any topic.

This book is an overview of the History of Rome with a focus on its interactions with the Barbarians outside and inside their empire. He begins with the rise of the concept of the "Barbarian" in Greek culture. He then follows the ever shifting Roman frontier and barbarian groups encountered by the Roman empire, from Italy, to Spain, Africa, Gaul, Britain, Germany, the Balkans, Asia Minor, as well as Persia and the Levant.

He not only describes the political and military history between Rome and these peoples, but also analyzes how they interacted with each other. The barbarians were changed and shaped by their encounters with the Romans as the Romans were also in turn changed and shaped by their encounters with the barbarians. The history is also not just one of war, but also of trade, culture, assimilation and differentiation. It is a fascinating overview and well worth the read of anyone interested. He of course ends in the final portion of his lectures with his analysis of the fall of the western Roman empire and the interesting role the barbarians played in that process.

One highlight for me was learning about the mysterious iron age culture of the Celts, who at one time had spread their influence over most of Western and Central Europe, a far greater scope than the cultures of Ireland and Scotland we think of today.

For those interested in this topic, I can also highly recommend "The Invasion of Europe by the Barbarians" by John B. Bury. This book is also available on audible, and it does an excellent job covering the barbarian invasions of the later Roman Empire and their cultures. It adds many details not covered in this overview, and will be an excellent complement to this read.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the topic. You will enjoy the ride, and learn a lot on the way!

Great telling of a great legacy

This course is very well constructed. I like this lecturer very much. He is very clear and tell the story in captivating manner.

Kenneth Harl

Tell ya what man! Kenneth Harl!
He done gud
He really done it right, now.

Packed with information!

Any additional comments?

This series of lectures is packed with information. Prof. Harl works with a couple of overall interpretive positions (e.g., Rome's interactions with its neighbors was far more than combative) and provides voluminous information in support. This course can be a bit overwhelming in the amount of information provided, but well worth it. For me it will require at least a second listen.

As usual, well done

Kenneth always gives good, well presented information. No fluff, well paced- and you better pay attention

Great Stuff, and Curious

In-depth history, cutting edge, and a lot of it. Well narrated. Curious in that the Roman civilization was considered civilized when their only virtue (as barbarians by today's standards) was organization (though preserving and advancing knowledge sealed their status as 'great') (no, their being insanely militaristic did not).

Amazing

This was extremely an informative “must-listen” for anyone interested in learning about how Rome managed to get so big and how many of Roman traditions managed to survive

How Barbarians Created Roman HIstory

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a great course if you are interested in Roman history. The course really is a history of the Roman empire from inception to its decline and fall told against the background of barbarian invasions and interactions.

What did you like best about this story?

Professor Harl's discussion of economic and social factors influencing Roman history was wonderful. He is very careful to disclose sensitive issues in historiography and to let the listener know which side of a controversy he is on. Very, very professional.

What about Professor Kenneth W. Harl’s performance did you like?

The unbelievable breadth of his knowledge and detailed observations concerning cause and effect in Rome's interaction (and integration) with barbarians. I came feel that I could see the panorama of Roman history and the factors (and internal inconsistencies) that led to its fall. There is a lot here for politicians to learn from.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not that type of book. But I really enjoyed Professor Harl's presentation. Even in 40 hours of Roman history there was never a dull moment (in fact, I was constantly going back to listen again to the details in certain passages).

Any additional comments?

Easy to listen to a 1.25x rather than 1.0.

Serves as probably the best intro to Roman history

Nearly perfect.

While ostensibly, this course is about the relationship of barbarians with Rome – it really can be used as a way to introduce oneself to Roman history. The wide panorama of insight that the lecturer gives is a joy to listen to.

He is wrong only in a few minor details – who was born when or where but can be trusted as a source and a guide to history.

Fascinating Perspective on the Development of Rome

In Rome and the Barbarians, Harl flips the normal narrative around and looks at the impact of Rome’s neighbors—especially those they termed barbarians—on the development of the Republic and the Empire. This makes for a very unique experience in exploring the history of Rome and really illuminated aspects of Rome’s foreign policy that I hadn’t recognized before. Using their patron-client system on a national scale, the Romans managed to accumulate a mighty empire on the backbone of their legions—an innovative military constantly adapting to the threats they encountered. Harl also identifies the point in the fourth century when the legions start to break down, lose their discipline, and set Rome on its path to destruction, incorporating barbarian tribes wholesale into the military. It’s an absolutely fascinating way to look at Rome.