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Trajan

Rome's Last Conqueror

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Trajan

By: Nicholas Jackson
Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
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About this listen

Until the publication of this captivating biography, no such volume on Trajan's life has been tailored to the general listener. The unique book illuminates a neglected period of ancient Roman history.

Trajan rose from fairly obscure beginnings to become the emperor of Rome. He was born in Italica, an Italic settlement close to modern Seville in present-day Spain, and is the first Roman Emperor to be born outside of Rome. His remarkable rise from officer to general and then to emperor in just over twenty years reveals a shrewd politician who maintained absolute power. Trajan's success in taking the Roman Empire to its greatest expanse is highlighted in this gripping biography.

Trajan's military campaigns allowed the Roman Empire to attain its greatest military, political, and cultural achievements. The book draws on novel theories, recent evidence, and meticulous research, including field visits to Italy, Spain, Germany, and Romania to ensure accurate, vivid writing that transports the listener to Trajan's territory.

©2022 Nicholas Jackson (P)2022 Tantor Ancient Military Military & War Rome Italy

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All stars
Most relevant  
Well researched and well written, I've greatly enjoyed this insight into one of Rome's lesser discussed, but still highly important, emperors. The book slightly suffers from that common problem with these historical biographies, in which the author always assumes the very best of the figure they are describing, but it never takes this too far, nor does it get in the way. Speculation is always very well signposted and separated from fact.

Overall, it was a very interesting listen, and well worth the credit.

Fascinating and accessable

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This is excellent stuff, particularly if roman history is your bag.
The narrator is a bit dry at times but it is well worth sticking with.

An Education!

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The sound quality sounds a bit tinny at first but gets better. Great narrator for a non-fiction book.

Decent Reader. Methodical yet interesting content and narrator.

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It is near impossible to write the definitive biography of a man for whom so.little contemporary primary source material remains but this well written book draws from the Roman society and customs surrounding Trajan, from early childhood to death, to convincingly construct a most plausible picture of his life. Easy to read it also provides an interesting picture of aspects of Roman life, domestic and military.

Narration is by James Cameron Stewart, whose mellow voice is clear and well modulated. He does speak rather slowly however, so best played back slightly speeded - 1.2 was ideal for this reader - plus a background recording hiss distracted little though one part of the down load.

Overall, an enjoyable read for anyone interested in the times of the Roman Empire.
Recommended

One of Machiavelli 's five "good" emperors.

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The content seems interesting , particularly as Trajan isn’t as well covered as some other emperors,,,but the readers clear, but flat, delivery wears on the listener. It feels very much like the reader is dictating a letter, or perhaps uninterestedly reading out a textbook to a class. The overall experience is thus only listenable in stints , and poorly served .

Clear but dull reading of a potentially interesting book

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I learned a lot about the man who all other emperors would try to emulate. I learned a lot about Trajan, and I loved the loyalty they underlined for the Flavians from him.
There is a reason he is always ranked number two after Augustus himself on the list of best and greatest emperors. One could have thought some ‘what if’ thoughts, like what if Hadrian has been truly taught as the Caesar, or what if Trajan could have continues into India, and many questions like that. I was surprised about his sexual habits, I knew of them, but did not know the extend his desires were. It is nice to have a clear picture of this giant of men put forth into our minds.

A well deserved walkthrough of the life of ‘the best emperor’.

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