A History of Rome [Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

Cyril Edward Robinson (Author), Charlton Griffin (Performer)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 22, 2000

Contents of Volume I: A HISTORY OF ROME is the story of a tiny market town on the Tiber, its rise to world domination, and then its slow, terrible plunge to utter ruin. It is the single greatest event in all human history. Discover the fascinating origin of Rome and its mysterious Etruscan connections, its first faltering steps toward republican government, and its methodical subjugation of surrounding tribes. Slowly, the puritanical Roman Republic asserts control over all of Italy and in the process forges a political unity which proves enduring. That unity is sorely tested as Rome comes into conflict with Carthage and Hannibal, a horrifying ordeal which alters world history for all time. A resurgent Rome is next drawn into the intrigues of the eastern Mediterranean, finally conquering the Greek speaking world...only to end up surrendering itself to a seductive, decadent Hellenistic culture. A century of politcal tension and civil strife ensues. Follow the rise of powerful men like the brothers Tiberius and Caius Gracchus, Marius, Sulla, Pompey, Cicero and the greatest Roman of them all - Julius Caesar.

Contents of Volume II: With Caesar's assassination comes renewed civil war. The aristocratic senatorial faction is defeated and the Republican form of government is replaced by dictatorship. Caesar's adopted nephew, Augustus, comes to power as the first Roman Emperor and puts into place the most extraordinary experiment in imperial government ever attempted. In the process, he paves the way for a long period of peace, a golden age, the likes of which has never before been seen. The Empire is ruled by one dynasty after another - some good, some bad - until it reaches its apogee during the age of the brilliant Antonine emperors. But chaos follows with a series of corrupt rulers, and only the strong leadership of Diocletion 85 years later brings stability. Shortly afterward, Constantine's rule promotes the new faith of Christianity and makes it the official religion of the empire. But the downward spiral of decay cannot be reversed. Economic disruptions, plague and barbarian invasions prove too much for Rome, and the western half of the empire descends into a maelstrom of ignorance, dispair and random violence from which it will not emerge for many centuries.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Cyril Edward Robinson, (1884 - 1981), was born at Bury St. Edmunds in England, the son of a local clergyman. He attended Marlborough and Magdalen, achieving distinction at both institutions. He joined the staff of Winchester College in 1909, where he remained until his retirement in 1945. Robinson was an inspired and gifted teacher who taught classics using the Socratic method. He believed that knowledge and truth were already present in his students and that his task was to draw it forth. Few of his former pupils would doubt that he succeeded brilliantly. Robinson is the author of many books on Greece and Rome. His lucid mind, clear prose and elegant style make his historical works among the greatest of the 20th century.

From AudioFile

Great civilizations don't just rise and fall; they ebb and flow, like a large animal breathing in and out. So while Rome begins as a small market town, and Robinson traces its thousand-year history through kingdom, republic, empire, and eventual decline, it is less a story than a large organism coming to life, thriving, and eventually expiring. Charlton Griffin's scholarly narration enlivens this production. At once thoughtful and professorial, it is also energetic, even impassioned. The history itself is burly and muscular, driven by armies and great movements of people across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It almost requires the vigorous sounds of drumbeats and large crowds heard from time to time in the audio text, suggesting these forces at work. This background, coupled with Griffin's scholarly but energetic tone, fittingly presents the most renowned classical historian of our century. P.E.F. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Audio Connoisseur; Unabridged edition (June 22, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 192971808X
• ISBN-13: 978-1929718085
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.2 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,847,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exhilerating listening experience, August 29, 2002

By 

"jcohen1234" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A History of Rome (Audio Cassette)

I've listened to a lot of books on tape, especially nonfiction, and this is one of the best. If you like history, this is a real gem. Chapters are separated by music and sound effects, and they really add to the drama. I studied classics in college and Cyril Robinson was one of the authors we were assigned. His work is beautifully written and very carefully researched. I read some of the comments below and am distressed that such a wonderful author as Robinson should be slandered so needlessly. I'm Jewish myself and heard absolutely nothing here which would qualify as anti-Semitic. It is a well known historical fact that the Eastern Mediterranean was indeed a very corrupt place in the third and second centuries BC. When the Romans conquered that area, they imported that corruption...and it had telling effects in the years to follow. I'm sorry if the historical truth hurts some people, but it's certainly no reflection on people who are living today. I can only assume these people have some sort of agenda that does not include historical accuracy. Also, I noted that someone tried to compare Professor Robinson's work with Gibbon. That's a stretch. Gibbon was concerned with what happened from the second century AD until the dissolution of the empire. Robinson takes us from the very beginning of Roman history around 700 BC and ends his story just before the final chaos which Gibbon is concerned with. These are totally different histories. In short, if you are a true lover of accurate history well written (and in this case, superbly recorded), then you should definitely pick up a copy of this classic work of ancient history.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fabulous Tour of Ancient Rome, November 2, 2001

By 

Mary Alston Anderson (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A History of Rome (Audio Cassette)

In language both simple and elegant, Cyril Robinson has left us a masterpiece of early 20th century historical writing. This History of Rome is easily the finest of its type. It is comprehensive enough (18 hours of narrative) to include everything of significance, yet concise enough not to get bogged down in arcane details. I highly recommend this for anyone who has a lay person's interest in ancient history. The narration is superb and very dramatic at times. Chapters are separated by wonderful drums and sound effects, which greatly enhance the mood.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!!, November 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: A History of Rome (Audio Cassette)

I'm no judge of the content per se, but I can say it's a very stimulating experience to listen to. I wasn't looking for anything "origianl," just a better understanding of Roman history that could hold my attention. And that's just what I got.

What another reviewer has called "dated" is a very polished British accent, that shows training, as you might hear on the stage. It's an absolute pleasure to listen to. It gives the reading a classical and dramatic tone which really enhances the already well writen text. Perhaps those who find it dated just don't get out enough. Maybe they'd prefer a more modern American reading from someone like Adam Sandler. You can easily listen to a sampe from the Audible site and decide for yourself.