Ancient Rome: Discovering Lost Stories from Roman History cover art

Ancient Rome: Discovering Lost Stories from Roman History

Secrets of the Forgotten Past

Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for £0.00
£8.99/mo thereafter. Renews automatically. Terms apply. Offer ends 31 July 2025 at 23:59 GMT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for £8.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel monthly.

Ancient Rome: Discovering Lost Stories from Roman History

By: Matt Clayton
Narrated by: Jason Zenobia
Try for £0.00

£8.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends 31 July 2025 23:59 GMT. Cancel monthly.

Buy Now for £11.99

Buy Now for £11.99

Confirm Purchase
Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.
Cancel

About this listen

Did you know that Augustus Caesar, the first emperor of Rome, was terrified of thunderstorms? This fear began in 26 BCE during his campaign in Spain. One day, after hearing a loud clap of thunder, Augustus saw a man near him get struck by lightning, leaving him shaken for life. From then on, Augustus believed he needed protection from the Roman god of lightning, Jupiter, and carried amulets and a seal skin everywhere he went.

This audiobook brings you the lesser-known moments that shaped Rome’s history. It doesn’t just focus on the powerful emperors; it also examines the people who worked behind the scenes and shaped the empire in their own way. From Julius Caesar’s personal worries to the mystery of the missing Ninth Legion, these stories reveal the real lives behind the famous Roman names.

Here’s what you’ll find inside:

  • Caesar’s pirate adventure: How a young Julius Caesar was kidnapped and held for ransom by pirates.
  • Agrippina the Younger’s power plays: How Agrippina carefully worked her way to the top in a dangerous political world.
  • Eunus, the slave who saw the future: The story of a slave who led a rebellion and claimed he could tell prophecies.
  • The secret cult of Mithras: Discover the strange and hidden religion that fascinated many Romans.
  • Caligula’s wild rule: The eccentric and dangerous behavior of an emperor who eventually went too far.
  • Gladiator battles: What types of fighters clashed in the brutal Roman games?
  • Justinian’s silk smuggling: How Emperor Justinian secretly brought silkworms to Rome and changed its economy.
  • And much, much more!

Ready to explore the hidden history of one of the greatest empires?

Download this audiobook to start your adventure into ancient Rome!

©2024 Matt Clayton (P)2024 Matt Clayton
Ancient Rome Pirate

Listeners also enjoyed...

Ancient Africa cover art
American History cover art
Joan of Arc cover art
The Denisovans: A Captivating Guide to the Extinct Cousins of Neanderthals Who Lived Across Asia during the Paleolithic Period cover art
History of Ireland: A History from Beginning to Present cover art
History of Alaska cover art
All stars
Most relevant  

Listener received this title free

This audiobook excels at making ancient history accessible and engaging through vivid storytelling. The narration brings out the human side of well-known figures and lesser-known individuals alike, weaving together intriguing anecdotes that keep the listener’s attention. I appreciated the balance between dramatic moments and quieter, reflective insights. The pacing is brisk, with each story offering a fresh perspective rather than dwelling too long on any one topic. While I am not the core audience, I found the approach both informative and entertaining, making it a worthwhile listen for anyone curious about Rome’s hidden stories.

Roman history made personal

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

Look, I put this on thinking I could zone out and maybe evolve into a slightly more cultured human while scrubbing crusty dishes. Plot twist: the audiobook ambushed me. Like, “pause the sponge mid-scrub and stare into the void” levels of attention. It dives into all the juicy, grimy corners of Roman history; stuff your high school textbook was too prude to mention. It’s not trying to cosplay as Gladiator 2 either; it’s smart, lowkey hilarious, and oddly intimate, like ancient gossip whispered directly into your ear by someone with a PhD and zero shame. I even voluntarily Googled things. That hasn’t happened since I thought “praetorian” was a Pokémon. If you enjoy the unhinged side quests of the ancient world, this one’s your new favorite bad influence.

Got ambushed by roman nerd vibes and I liked it?!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

This was way more interesting than I expected. It doesn’t just focus on the usual big names—it mixes in unexpected stories that actually stuck with me. Some of the moments were totally new to me, and the way they’re told made it easy to stay into it the whole time. It’s got a mix of drama, weird facts, and behind-the-scenes stuff that gives a different view of the empire. Definitely not your average history listen.

History That Doesn’t Feel Like Homework

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

I’ve read a lot about Rome, but this book pulled me in with stories I hadn’t heard before, ones that felt more human than textbook. It doesn’t just list battles and dates; it shares the weird, wild, and sometimes inspiring pieces of Roman life that get overlooked. I found myself Googling more after almost every chapter. If you love history but want it told in a way that’s engaging and easy to digest, this one’s a win.

Made Ancient Rome Come Alive Again

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

This audiobook uncovers the hidden side of Roman history, from Augustus Caesar’s fear of lightning to secret cults, pirate kidnappings, and bold rebellions. Packed with strange, fascinating stories—from gladiator battles to silk smuggling—it offers a fresh look at the people and events that shaped the empire. A captivating listen for anyone curious about the lesser-known moments behind Rome’s rise and rule.

Fascinating and engaging

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

Ancient Rome: Discovering Lost Stories from Roman History by Matt Clayton was a captivating read. I thought I knew Roman history, but this book introduced me to lesser-known events and figures that truly enriched my understanding. The storytelling is engaging, making the ancient world come alive in a fresh way. Highly recommended for anyone eager to delve deeper into Rome's fascinating past.


Hidden Stories of Ancient Rome

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

I’ve read a ton about ancient Rome, but this book still surprised me. It didn’t just rehash the same emperors and battles—I found stories and angles I hadn’t come across before. It made me think differently about Roman life and the people who lived it. I liked that it didn’t assume I was a total beginner, but it also wasn’t hard to follow. Great pick if you’ve read the basics and want something deeper.

Not the Usual Roman Stories

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

I always thought Rome was just battles and emperors, but there’s way more to it. The chapters on women rulers and secret cults were honestly my favorite. I had no idea stuff like the Cult of Mithras even existed. And the gladiator games? Way more intense than movies make them look. It’s not just boring facts either. The way it’s written keeps you hooked, like every chapter has some crazy twist. The one about smuggling and underground markets was really cool too, and now I kinda want to learn more about ancient trade and crime. Even the chapter about ghosts didn’t feel cheesy. I read a few pages a day and ended up flying through it without even meaning to. If you’re into history but don’t want a textbook vibe, this is it. Super interesting and fun to listen to without trying too hard.

Roman history is wild

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

It was exciting. It was an opportunity to hear about Roman history as if I was listening to a short story. I am interested in history, and although I am not an expert on each topic, this history book is suitable for readers interested in Roman history. The new information about the characters and the exciting development method makes it more interesting. Through the lives of these Romans, I am experiencing the human side and enlightenment indirectly. This content and development are suitable for those with knowledge of ancient Roman history or those interested in it. Fun and learn at the same time.

Fun and learn at the same time.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

I’ve always been curious about Ancient Rome, but this audiobook made the history feel way more alive than the dry stuff I remember from school. It dives into parts of Roman life and events I hadn’t really heard about before, which kept it interesting the whole way through. I listened during walks and found myself bringing up random Roman facts in conversations. If you're into history and want something that keeps your attention, this one's a solid pick.

Fascinating Bits of Roman Life

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews