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The Storm Before the Storm

The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic

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The Storm Before the Storm

By: Mike Duncan
Narrated by: Mike Duncan
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About this listen

The creator of the massively popular, award-winning podcast series The History of Rome brings to life the story of the tumultuous years that set the stage for the fall of the Roman Republic.

The Roman Republic was one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of civilization. After its founding in 509 BCE, the Romans refused to allow a single leader to seize control of the state and grab absolute power. The Roman commitment to cooperative government and peaceful transfers of power was unmatched in the history of the ancient world.

But by the year 133 BCE, the republican system was unable to cope with the vast empire Rome now ruled. Almost as soon as they had conquered the Mediterranean, Rome became engulfed in violent political conflicts and civil wars that would destroy the Republic less than a century later.

Chronicling the years 133-80 BCE, The Storm Before the Storm is a rollicking deep dive into the bloody battles, political machinations, and human drama that defined a dangerous new political environment - a stark warning for modern listeners about what happens to a civilization driven by increasing economic inequality, political polarization, and ruthless ambition.

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

©2017 Mike Duncan (P)2017 Hachette Audio
Politics & Government Rome Italy Military Ancient History Eastern Roman Empire
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What listeners say about The Storm Before the Storm

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Great

The research and enthusiasm from this author is boundless. A fascinating exploration into how the heights of the Late Republic became the foundations of Empire.

Thanks Mike, keep it coming!

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An excellent performance as always

Well done and congratulations on the audio book Mike. From a fan of your podcasts

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Best book about this period bar none. A must read

If you have an interest in the Roman republic you will not find a better book.

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Well worth it

This feels like a very in depth episode of the History of Rome podcast and it makes me want to relisten to all the podcast episodes again.

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Fantastic

One of my favourite topics since my school days! I grew up a fan of Marius, now I’m not so sure!
Great stuff as always from Mike Duncan!

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Epic

Listen to your podcasts and love this book as well
😁 😎 😊 👍 😎

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Compelling

After listening, loving and finishing the History of Rome podcast this book was a must listen to for me. It allows you to stay with Rome a bit longer. Also you get an even better notion (if 178 episodes aren't enough) of the enormity of stories there are to tell. You really start to appreciate the fact how hard it must have been for the author to choose what to mention and what not in his podcast.

The first chapter of Storm before the Storm just sucked me right back into the story. The events surrounding the Gracchi brothers are compelling, interesting and unsettling. Also, what does this history tell us about our current democracy? Are we learning from history, or are we just bound to repeat everything again. These were some questions that were entering my mind when listening to this book.

Mike Duncan really understands how to bring a story to live, without choosing sides or to steer you too much. I'm eagerly waiting for his next book on Rome.

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Return of the history of Rome

Easy to follow even if you don’t know all the ins and outs of the Roman Republic. This is a fascinating book telling the story of the great men, some of whom are almost forgotten today due to the generations that would follow them( Caesar, Augustus, mark anthony and cleopatra). That in their attempts to save the republic help to start it on it path to imperium. As a fan of the history of Rome podcast this was a welcome trip of nostalgia when the familiar theme tune starts then as Mike Duncan start to tell this fabulous tale.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone with even the slighted interest in Roman history.

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Decent

I learned some new interesting things, I am a big fan of Mike Duncan. Well done.

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loved it

I loved Mike Duncan's history of Rome and loved the book as it gave more insite into this period of history.

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