The Colosseum

Wonders of the World, Book 19

By: Mary Beard, Keith Hopkins

Narrated by: Joan Walker

Byron and Hitler were equally entranced by Rome's most famous monument, the Colosseum. Mid-Victorians admired the hundreds of varieties of flowers in its crannies and occasionally shuddered at its reputation for contagion, danger, and sexual temptation. Today it is the highlight of a tour of Italy for more than three million visitors a year, a concert arena for the likes of Paul McCartney, and a national symbol of opposition to the death penalty. Its ancient history is chock full of romantic but erroneous myths. There is no evidence that any gladiator ever said "Hail Caesar, those about to die..." and we know of not one single Christian martyr who met his finish here.

Yet the reality is much stranger than the legend as the authors, two prominent classical historians, explain in this absorbing account. We learn the details of how the arena was built and at what cost; we are introduced to the emperors who sometimes fought in gladiatorial games staged at the Colosseum; and we take measure of the audience who reveled in, or opposed, these games. The authors also trace the strange afterlife of the monument - as fortress, shrine of martyrs, church, and glue factory. Why are we so fascinated with this arena of death?

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

©2005 Keith Hopkins and Mary Beard (P)2019 Tantor

Narrator is Unbearable

The monotonous, always chipper, caramel filled bonbon who’s narrating this book is intolerable. She sounds like a British Siri! Besides that, her style is more appropriate for narrating a travel brochure for a Caribbean island. Completely out of place for a book on ancient Roman history. What a pity, I enjoy Mary’s books!

Entertaining history tour with a smooth UK narrator

The historical content was fascinating -- the first time I looked into the Coliseum since my 9th grade Latin Class trip to Rome... Still wish I'd signed up for Spanish. The highly caffeinated Latin teacher kept insisting we wear Togas and sandals to class -- with no pants, in Michigan winter. Then I got hit by an Italian lady racing a scooter down the Appian Way, leaving a nasty welt in my shin. My fleeting interest in Rome perished that day on that dusty, ancient road in the eighties. Until this audiobook...

Really enjoyed this audio history & especially the beautifully crafted writing. It was somehow deeply satisfying to hear "BC" & "AD" in all the historical dates. Bravo. The brave new world terminology of "BCE & CE" ring so contrived and badly duct-taped to my old-fashioned ears.

Regarding the Narrator -- loved her! Super professional & smooth. But lots of respect to the previous reviewers criticizing her "caramel-filled bonbon voice" and "Benadryl" effect. Well said, and funny.

Still, this short & sweet dive into Roman history was excellent in my view. The writers' skill in word-crafting, wrapped up in the Benadryl voice, made 5 hours of dish-washing fly by.

also: why not Mary Beard narrating?

i don't know what it is, but the narrator's voice is like Benadryl. she's not boring, neither are the subject matter or writing, just listening to her makes me sleepy, every time. maybe I'll use this audiobook to combat my insomnia.

Truth will out...

Very objective accounting, indicating there is vast amount of hyped-history regarding this land mark. For sure is vast amount of the Colosseum was buried or recycled elsewhere. Otherwise the Colosseum is a standing Rorschach test for any one wanting to write about its alleged history.

The Colosseum

Has a lot of good information. I like reading and learning about Roman History. This was an interesting listen, but I did not really like the narrator. Maybe a different narrator would make it better.