Rubicon

The Triumph and Tragedy of the Roman Republic

By: Tom Holland

Narrated by: 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

Critic reviews

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)

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.

Excellent!

My first experience with Holland and I was not disappointed! Excited to read more of his work.

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.