Listen free for 30 days

  • The Storm Before the Storm

  • The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic
  • Written by: Mike Duncan
  • Narrated by: Mike Duncan
  • Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (540 ratings)

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 $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Storm Before the Storm cover art

The Storm Before the Storm

Written by: Mike Duncan
Narrated by: Mike Duncan
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $28.27

Buy Now for $28.27

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

The creator of the massively popular, award-winning podcast series The History of Rome brings to life the story of the tumultuous years that set the stage for the fall of the Roman Republic.

The Roman Republic was one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of civilization. After its founding in 509 BCE, the Romans refused to allow a single leader to seize control of the state and grab absolute power. The Roman commitment to cooperative government and peaceful transfers of power was unmatched in the history of the ancient world.

But by the year 133 BCE, the republican system was unable to cope with the vast empire Rome now ruled. Almost as soon as they had conquered the Mediterranean, Rome became engulfed in violent political conflicts and civil wars that would destroy the Republic less than a century later.

Chronicling the years 133-80 BCE, The Storm Before the Storm is a rollicking deep dive into the bloody battles, political machinations, and human drama that defined a dangerous new political environment - a stark warning for modern listeners about what happens to a civilization driven by increasing economic inequality, political polarization, and ruthless ambition.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 Mike Duncan (P)2017 Hachette Audio

More from the same

What listeners say about The Storm Before the Storm

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    450
  • 4 Stars
    77
  • 3 Stars
    10
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    406
  • 4 Stars
    56
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    391
  • 4 Stars
    65
  • 3 Stars
    10
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Mike Duncan is a fantastic author. Great book, loved the history of rome podcast. #Audible1

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

Duncan's book is both a wonderful narration of a period of history that always lacked attention and a magnificent case study of how republics die. A must read.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

To the point

A succinct account of the fall of the Republic. Could have used an analysis at the end of why imperial power was so solid to match the analysis of why the Republic became so weak, but otherwise very good.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Strong storytelling makes the Classics accessible.

I wonder if we have a new mash-up word for Mr. Duncan's book. Classissible, perhaps?

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome

Absolutely devoured this in <4days, and will listen again.

More quality content from Mike Duncan, as he continues to weave the tangled threads of history into a cohesive narrative, enjoyable to history buffs and newbies alike.

Mike has been producing accessible history content for a decade and a half. Many listeners will find their way here from his popular podcasts "The History of Rome" and "Revolutions", both of which are highly recommended, if you enjoyed this book.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very well explains the history & those involved.

Really well written as well as narrated, a great read my husband - willem bought this book I will also browse others by the author.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining, Interesting, Educational

Mike Duncan and his podcast "The History Of Rome" is what got me into podcasts and audiobooks, so I was delighted to hear him return to Rome with this book. It offers a very detailed account of a period of Roman history that often only gets a cursory glance. There's an amazing amount of detail in this book, and Mike Duncan delivers it masterfully. I definitely recommend it to those who love Roman history.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Truly one of the best

Mike Duncan is a fantastic author and narrator. This book is a fantastic way to digest a part of history and get context for many of the historical references we use everyday but don’t fully understand. It’s also just a great book to relax to while still having an intellectual part to chew on. I’ve loved his podcasts and his book is of the same quality. Easily a 10/10

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Mike Duncans narrative adventure

Mike Duncans telling of the rise of the populari uprisings in early rome is excellent

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Mike Duncan fan

Mike Duncan fan so perhaps biased but I loved this. (spoiler alert) the sullan terror is well terrifying. bleak but that's history

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!