The War That Made the Roman Empire

Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian at Actium

By: Barry Strauss

Narrated by: Jacques Roy

A “splendid” (The Wall Street Journal) account of one of history’s most important and yet little-known wars, the campaign culminating in the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, whose outcome determined the future of the Roman Empire.

Following Caesar’s assassination and Mark Antony’s defeat of the conspirators who killed Caesar, two powerful men remained in Rome—Antony and Caesar’s chosen heir, young Octavian, the future Augustus. When Antony fell in love with the most powerful woman in the world, Egypt’s ruler Cleopatra, and thwarted Octavian’s ambition to rule the empire, another civil war broke out. In 31 BC one of the largest naval battles in the ancient world took place—more than 600 ships, almost 200,000 men, and one woman—the Battle of Actium. Octavian prevailed over Antony and Cleopatra, who subsequently killed themselves.

The Battle of Actium had great consequences for the empire. Had Antony and Cleopatra won, the empire’s capital might have moved from Rome to Alexandria, Cleopatra’s capital, and Latin might have become the empire’s second language after Greek, which was spoken throughout the eastern Mediterranean, including Egypt.

In this “superbly recounted” (The National Review) history, Barry Strauss, ancient history authority, describes this consequential battle with the drama and expertise that it deserves. The War That Made the Roman Empire is essential history that features three of the greatest figures of the ancient world.

©2021 Barry S. Strauss. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Phenomenal re-interpretention

I consider myself very knowledgeable about the Rome and more particularly about the transition between republic and empire and this book has shown light onto actors and actions in ways that I had never thought-off or heard-off. The performance of the narration was superb and made a pleasure to listen to. I would highly recommend this book, author, and narrator.

A historic drama for the ages

Strauss distills the drama of this historic hinge point in such a rousing way that does justice to its significance and he engages in “what if”s had the events unfolded differently.

History at it's best

I knew almost nothing about Augustus, Anthony and Cleopatra. This brings them and their times to life. Just wonderful story telling and what an excellent presenter.

Another excellent lesson on my favorite historical period.

Anytime I read a work like this I’m looking for a little more depth in hopes of learning new things. This book delivered. Well written and effectively read. Kudos!

Delivers exactly what it says.

A great focus’s on just Actium and the players of that conflict. Very enjoyable listen.

Interesting book.

What strikes me the most about this book is that the historical details are enlivened and colored with descriptions showing the humanity of the characters. Grant that the author sometimes goes out on a poetic limb and gets off on inspired assumptions, he lets us know that these are assumptions and that he is not getting into the historical figures' heads and telling us what they are thinking. In summary this books is an interesting read and makes for a cogent representation of a pivotal event in history.

Breathtaking

A true feast for the ears. So much warmth depth and emotion in a compelling story

Great historian!

Barry Strauss is one of my favorite historians as he is not interested in pushing contemporary political agendas.
The book is excellent but the narrator is not animated.

Thoroughly enjoyable

I wanted to fill in the gaps in my knowledge regarding this period of Roman history, and this book perfectly did that.

Wonderful Book

A great book on the war of Actium. Narrator was great and the subject was well researched.