Rubicon

The Triumph and Tragedy of the Roman Republic

De: Tom Holland

Narrado por: Tom Holland

'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

©2011 Tom Holland (P)2024 Hachette Audio UK

Reseñas de la Crítica

This is narrative history at its best... It really held me, in fact, obsessed me... Bloody and labyrinthine political intrigue and struggle, brilliant oratory, amazing feats of conquest and cruelty. Holland's lucid account of this alien civilisation moves at a fine pace. He makes no facile comparisons with our times, but you sense you are witnessing through him the enduring difficulty of reconciling power and peace (Guardian)

The blood-stained drama of the last decades of the Roman Republic . . . is told afresh with tremendous wit, narrative verve and insight . . . What characters there were in this drama! He resurrects them with a novelistic luminosity which illuminates not only that lost world, but our own as well (Christopher Hart)

Holland writes throughout with wonderful zest... this is a terrific read and a remarkable piece of scholarship. As an introduction to Roman history, it is unlikely to be bettered (Christopher Matthews)

A model of exactly how a popular history of the classical world should be written . . . a riveting study of the period . . . the most readable book on the later Roman republic since Ronald Syme's The Roman Revolution . . . Next time someone asks me why they should study Roman history, Rubicon will be one of the first books that I shall direct them to (Richard Miles)

Ancient history often descends to us either through impregnable academic works or the sword-and-sandal epics of the cinema. What Holland achieves is to draw from both genres to write a modern, well-paced and finely observed history which entertains as it informs (Elizabeth Speller)

A master of the telling detail . . . Rubicon is unrivalled in revealing the humbug behind the cant and stripping Julius Caesar and company of their moral finery (Frederic Raphael)

Fresh and vivid . . . Holland's strength is as a narrative historian and there is no better and clearer guide to the tangled political events of 100-44 bc . . . if a new readership is to be won for ancient history, it is books like this that will pave the way (Frank McLynn)

Rubicon . . . is no dry history: it is immensely readable, a perfect combination of authoritative scholarship and racy narrative . . . all Holland's people are real and alive. Sometimes they even talk (David Wishart)

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.

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.

Riveting

Holland brilliantly intertwines the narrative of Cesear with a lens into daily life under the Roman republic

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Holland’s Brilliance

Tom Holland does more that write an incredible book—he brings it to life with masterful timing, touch, and feel.

poetic language

An epic of Rome, He sheds new light on those familiar characters. I solute the author for its eloquence. I solute a time long past.