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Praetorian
- The Rise and Fall of Rome's Imperial Bodyguard
- Narrated by: Malk Williams
- Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins
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Praetorian
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Summary
A riveting account of ancient Rome's imperial bodyguard, the select band of soldiers who wielded the power to make - or destroy - the emperors they served.
Founded by Augustus around 27 BC, the elite Praetorian Guard was tasked with the protection of the emperor and his family. As the centuries unfolded, however, Praetorian soldiers served not only as protectors and enforcers but also as powerful political players. Fiercely loyal to some emperors, they vied with others and ruthlessly toppled those who displeased them, including Caligula, Nero, Pertinax, and many more. Guy de la Bédoyère provides a compelling first full narrative history of the Praetorians, whose dangerous ambitions ceased only when Constantine permanently disbanded them.
De la Bédoyère introduces Praetorians of all echelons, from prefects and messengers to artillery experts and executioners. He explores the delicate position of emperors for whom prestige and guile were the only defenses against bodyguards hungry for power. Folding fascinating details into a broad assessment of the Praetorian era, the author sheds new light on the wielding of power in the greatest of the ancient world's empires.
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What listeners say about Praetorian
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Helen
- 20-04-21
Good but read far too fast
About half way through I changed the speed and slowed the narrator down, after which I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Before this is was like having facts about Romans flung at you far to fast to absorb them.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tom Baker
- 21-06-21
Good Overview of the Praetorians
if your looking for a good introduction to the history of the praetorians then this is a good and interesting book to listen to. Well worth it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pharmland
- 03-06-23
For the Romaficionados
Greta book for those who think they have read / listened to just about everything about the Roman Empire. In the beginning maybe a bit too detailed / technical but it is highly interesting to understand the power and the schemes of the Praetorian leaders and their contribution to the fall of Rome.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kuma
- 22-08-24
A Fascinating Insight into a pivotal Roman Institution
this was a really engaging and well written survey piece covering the history of the Praetorians. it's real strength is in busting many myths about them and clarifying what we do and don't know about them. it's especially helpful to separate them put from wider discussion of the Roman Military
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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- Steven
- 21-09-21
Tedious
An object lesson in how to make Roman history into a tedious flow of facts. At least up to the point I gave up.
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