Tom Holland

A suspenseful popular history of the fall of the Roman Republic traces the events and generation that marked the final century B.C., discussing such topics as the drama-spurred personality of Julius Caesar, the rise of Alexandria, the rule of Augustus, and the contributions of such figures as Caesar, Cleopatra, and Brutus. Reprint. 20,000 first printing.

The Last Years Of The Roman Republic

Rubicon

who knew spiderman was so knowledgeable about the fall of the republic (this is a very original joke that i’m sure has never been made before) 

sarah

linda

Wow, I finally finished this book. It took me a long time, not because the history wasn't compelling, but because of how dense it was. I loved how Rubicon places historical events within a larger narrative of Rome. Tom Holland does a great job of describing the political intrigues of Late Republican period, complete with finesse, backdoor dealings, and mob violence. Every political heavyweight, including Caesar, Cicero, Cato, Pompey, etc., made an appearance in this book. The dizzying array of sex scandals, power struggles, and conquests occurring in Rome made this book read more like a magazine you would read in your doctor's waiting room than a history textbook; moreover, it serves as a testament to Holland's remarkable talent for storytelling. Overall, I found Rubicon informative and interesting, and I hope I am able to retain the knowledge I've gained from this book.

Bill Mazza

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.

Rubicon The Last Years Of The Roman Republic

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