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  • The Fall of the Roman Empire

  • A New History of Rome and the Barbarians
  • By: Peter Heather
  • Narrated by: Allan Robertson
  • Length: 21 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (245 ratings)
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The Fall of the Roman Empire cover art

The Fall of the Roman Empire

By: Peter Heather
Narrated by: Allan Robertson
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Summary

The death of the Roman Empire is one of the perennial mysteries of world history. Now, in this groundbreaking book, Peter Heather proposes a stunning new solution: Centuries of imperialism turned the neighbors Rome called barbarians into an enemy capable of dismantling an Empire that had dominated their lives for so long. A leading authority on the late Roman Empire and on the barbarians, Heather relates the extraordinary story of how Europe's barbarians, transformed by centuries of contact with Rome on every possible level, eventually pulled the empire apart. He shows first how the Huns overturned the existing strategic balance of power on Rome's European frontiers, to force the Goths and others to seek refuge inside the Empire. This prompted two generations of struggle, during which new barbarian coalitions, formed in response to Roman hostility, brought the Roman west to its knees.

The Goths first destroyed a Roman army at the battle of Hadrianople in 378, and went on to sack Rome in 410. The Vandals spread devastation in Gaul and Spain, before conquering North Africa, the breadbasket of the Western Empire, in 439. We then meet Attila the Hun, whose reign of terror swept from Constantinople to Paris, but whose death in 453 ironically precipitated a final desperate phase of Roman collapse, culminating in the Vandals' defeat of the massive Byzantine Armada: the west's last chance for survival.

Peter Heather convincingly argues that the Roman Empire was not on the brink of social or moral collapse. What brought it to an end were the barbarians.

©2006 Peter Heather (P)2014 Audible Inc.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about The Fall of the Roman Empire

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

tough history

I am ignorant but my feeling is that the history is very sound and Heather's explanation of the Fall makes perfect sense. Why not 5 stars:
1. It is heavy going for the uninitiated because there so few main "characters" and to a lesser extent places, which are familiar and thereby memorable.
2. I am ashamed to say that I prefer British narrators / pronunciation.

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24 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Aargh

Oh dear. I was so looking forward to this as I was struggling to get through the printed version for one reason or another.
I think it will take me some considerable time to get used to the American presenter and pronunciation.
I'd say I was a tolerant soul but at the moment I'm finding it unlistenable... ☹️

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15 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A fascinating listen

I was gripped by this account. It is very clear and persuasive. It illuminates a period which as a traditional classicist I have always wondered about. Peter Heather occasionally throws in fascinating analogies from more recent periods. He also depicts his subjects, Roman and barbarian, vividly and often amusingly, colouring what sometimes comes across as a huge sweep of history told with almost tragic intensity

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Really too long, could have been wrapped up in 3 chapters.

TL;DR
Rome got too big for its boots, couldn’t keep all its plates spinning, let the foreigners get a bit too cocky. Ran out of money. Ok. 4 chapters.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A pure History Lesson

Would you listen to The Fall of the Roman Empire again? Why?

It was pitched at a level I could understand,it brought history to life for me

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Fall of the Roman Empire?

The sack of Rome, it was unbelievable.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Too many to mention

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

unpatriotic land owning classes

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best on the subject

This book was initially recommended to me by one C. C., a good acquaintance. It turned out to be literally the best work on the subject I have come across to date. If you are even remotely interested in the decline and fall of empires, Peter Heather's masterpiece is definitely worth your time.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very in-depth and well narrated

Enjoyed this so much, immediately re-listened to it, there is so much detail. It is well paced and narrated. Highly recommend it, if Roman /early medieval history is of interest.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Detailed chronology

Excellent detailed and thoroughly researched - a brilliant book and very well narrated - I listen to it again and again. Anyone interested in Roman history will love this book

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting thesis - thoroughly researched

Very clearly presented, an excellent and well argued interpretation of a chaotic period in history. Recommended.

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2 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Don't bother.

Surprisingly not much detail as to how the Empire ultimately fell. Just a never ending list of names, even managed to make Atilla the Hun boring. Narrator was very good, though with a woefully inadequate account to relate. Poor audiobook.

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1 person found this helpful