Plutarch's Lives, Volume 1 of 2
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Narrated by:
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B. J. Harrison
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By:
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Plutarch
About this listen
Plutarchs's (46-120 A.D.) epic chronicle of the lives of great Grecians and Romans. Beginning with the founding of Rome and Athens, the lives of the men who created the ancient world are brought to life in this new, high quality recording. Greats such as Romulus, Pericles, Theseus, Lycurgus, and many others come alive as their politics, economy, and their individual stories play out in the time of the Ancients. This translation by John Dryden, which is considered by scholars to be the quintessential translation.
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- Narrated by: Derek Jacobi
- Length: 7 hrs and 13 mins
- Abridged
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Suetonius wrote his Lives of the Twelve Caesars in the reign of Vespasian around 70AD. He chronicled the extraordinary careers of Julius, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, and Domitian and the rest in technicolour terms. They presented some high and low times at the heart of the Roman Empire. The accounts provide us with perspicacious insights into the men as much as their reigns.
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Translation doubts
- By Elizabeth on 05-20-07
By: Suetonius
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Dialogues of Plato
- By: Plato
- Narrated by: Pat Bottino
- Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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The Dialogues of Plato rank with the writings of Aristotle as the most important and influential philosophical works in Western thought. In them Plato cast his teacher Socrates as the central disputant in colloquies that brilliantly probe a vast spectrum of philosophical ideas and issues.
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Not Complete Dialogues
- By Jill on 08-30-07
By: Plato
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The Memorable Thoughts of Socrates
- By: Xenophon, Edward Bysshe - translator
- Narrated by: Nicholas Tecosky
- Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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Xenophon was a Greek who admired and studied with Socrates. He marched with the Spartans and later was exiled from Athens. He wrote about the history of his times, the sayings of Socrates and about life in Greece. Edward Bysshe translated Xenophone's work in 1702. This translation has continued to have an excellent reputation. In this work Xenophon discusses the views of life taught by Socrates.
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Philosopher, Soldier, Historian and Mercenary
- By Darwin8u on 12-04-12
By: Xenophon, and others
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History of the Conquest of Mexico
- By: W.H. Prescott
- Narrated by: Kerry Shale
- Length: 4 hrs and 48 mins
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In 1519, Hernando Cortés arrived in Mexico to investigate stories of a wealthy empire. What he encountered was beyond his wildest dreams; an advanced civilization with complex artistic, political, and religious systems (involving extensive human sacrifice) and replete with gold. This was the Aztec empire, headed by the aloof emperor, Montezuma.
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Gripping story
- By Roger Conner on 11-05-04
By: W.H. Prescott
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The Histories
- The Persian Wars
- By: Herodotus, A. D. Godley Translator
- Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
- Length: 27 hrs and 58 mins
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Herodotus was a Greek historian born in Halicarnassus, subject at the time of the great Persian Empire. He lived in the fifth century BC (c. 484 - c. 425 BC), a contemporary of Socrates. He is often referred to as "The Father of History", a title originally conferred by Cicero. Herodotus was the first historian known to have broken from Homeric tradition in order to treat historical subjects as a method of investigation, specifically by collecting his materials in a critical, systematic fashion and then arranging them into a chronological narrative.
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Popular for a reason
- By Reader on 11-17-18
By: Herodotus, and others
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The Jugurthine War & The Conspiracy of Cataline
- By: Sallust, Cicero
- Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
- Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins
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A bloody revolt by a North African prince and a plot to seize control of Rome are the subjects of two short masterpieces of ancient history by the illustrious Roman chronicler, Sallust. He could not have chosen two more dramatic episodes in the long history of this city.
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Excellent Production
- By cbrann on 04-22-05
By: Sallust, and others
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The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini
- By: Benvenuto Cellini
- Narrated by: Robert Whitfield
- Length: 15 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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Master Italian sculptor, goldsmith, and writer Benvenuto Cellini is best remembered for his magnificent autobiography. In this work, which was actually begun in 1558 but not published until 1730, Cellini beautifully chronicles his flamboyant times. He tells of his adventures in Italy and France, and his relations with popes, kings, and fellow artists.
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The problem is with Cellini himself.
- By Leslie Ross on 06-07-10
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The History of the Peloponnesian War
- By: Thucydides
- Narrated by: Mike Rogers
- Length: 22 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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The rivalry between two of the dominant city states of Ancient Greece, Athens and Sparta, erupted into a war lasting nearly 30 years and was to have a dramatic effect on the balance of power in the area. Between 431 and 404 BCE, the two cities battled it out on land and sea, aided by their alliances with neighbouring states: Athens’ Delian League vigorously opposed Sparta’s Peloponnesian League in a conflict which effectively involved the whole region.
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Full frontal of war, politics, diplomacy, destruction, plunder
- By Jeff Lacy on 05-27-20
By: Thucydides
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Oroonoko
- By: Aphra Behn
- Narrated by: Clare Wille
- Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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A vivid love story and adventure tale, Oroonoko is a heroic slave narrative about a royal prince and his fight for freedom. The eponymous hero, Oroonoko, deemed royalty in one world and slave in another, is torn from his noble status and betrayed into slavery in Surinam, where he is reduced to chains, fetters, and shackles. But his high spirit and admirable character will not be suppressed.
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Outstanding Narration, Story Less So
- By Carsley on 07-14-18
By: Aphra Behn
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Our Oriental Heritage
- The Story of Civilization, Volume 1
- By: Will Durant
- Narrated by: Robin Field
- Length: 50 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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The first volume of Will Durant's Pulitzer Prize-winning series, Our Oriental Heritage: The Story of Civilization, Volume I chronicles the early history of Egypt, the Middle East, and Asia.
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Wonderful
- By Michael on 11-30-13
By: Will Durant
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TABLE of CONTENTS here:
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Plutarch’s Lives remains one of the world’s most profoundly influential literary works. Written at the beginning of the second century, it forms a brilliant social history of the ancient world. second volume includes Alexander and Caesar, Demetrius and Antony, Dion and Marcus Brutus, the aforementioned Demosthenes and Cicero, as well as biographies of Alexander, Caesar, Cato the Younger, and others.
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Biographies to Adjust and Adorn our Lives
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The History of Rome: The Complete Works
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Titus Livy's only known surviving work is a monumental history of Rome that was originally written in Latin. It is estimated that Livy's The History of Rome was written between 27 and 9 BC and covers the legends of Aeneas, the fall of Troy, the city's founding in 753 BC, and Livy's account ends with the reign of Emperor Augustus. The History of Rome is a must-have for anyone interested in ancient history and the Roman era. With colorful detail and intriguing insight, Titus brings to life some of the most turbulent times in human history.
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The horrible book
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TABLE of CONTENTS here:
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Plutarch’s Lives remains one of the world’s most profoundly influential literary works. Written at the beginning of the second century, it forms a brilliant social history of the ancient world. second volume includes Alexander and Caesar, Demetrius and Antony, Dion and Marcus Brutus, the aforementioned Demosthenes and Cicero, as well as biographies of Alexander, Caesar, Cato the Younger, and others.
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If you want to start a study of the classical world, this is the right book to begin with. Written by one of the greatest biographers of all time, "Plutarch’s Lives" tells us the brilliant history of the ancient world. In this first volume, you will find a detailed profiles and comparisons of Romulus and Theseus, Fabius and Pericles, along with many other of the greatest figures of ancient Greece, Rome, Macedonia, Sparta, Persia and Egypt. Thanks to Plutarch work and B. J.
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Wisdom for the ages
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The History of Rome, Volume 1, Books 1 - 5
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Beginning at the end of Augustus' reign, Tacitus's Annals examines the rules of the Roman emperors from Tiberius to Nero (though Caligula's books are lost to us). Their dramas and scandals are brought fully under the spotlight, as Tacitus presents a catalog of their murders, atrocities, sexual improprieties, and other vices in no unsparing terms. Debauched, cruel, and paranoid, they are portrayed as being on the verge of madness. Their wars and battles, such as the war with the Parthians, are also described with the same scrutinizing intensity.
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Tacitus subplarianies
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The Jewish War
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In AD 66, nationalist and religious revolutionaries in Judaea led a ferocious revolt of the Jewish people against the authority of mighty Rome, culminating in the greatest upheaval and savagery the world had known up to that time. By the end of the conflict seven years later, over one million Jews had perished and tens of thousands were sold into slavery. Until the Holocaust, it remained the greatest tragedy ever endured by a people. How had this once prosperous region been laid low, and by what process did its fratricidal feuds take it down a slippery slope to utter annihilation? Fortunately for us, there was an eyewitness.
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mispronunciations are irritating
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By: Flavius Josephus
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The Age of Caesar
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Pompey, Caesar, Cicero, Brutus, Antony: the names resonate across thousands of years. Major figures in the civil wars that brutally ended the Roman republic, their lives still haunt us as examples of how the hunger for personal power can overwhelm collective politics, how the exaltation of the military can corrode civilian authority, and how the best intentions can lead to disastrous consequences. Plutarch renders these history-making lives as flesh-and-blood characters.
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Terrific
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B. J. Harrison Reads Plutarch's Lives, Volume 2 of 2
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This second volume of "Plutarch’s Lives" introduces the reader to even more important figures of the ancient world. Sertorius, Eumenes, Pompey, Alexander, Caesar and Cicero are only a small part of all the historical figures Plutarch describes. The philosopher produces character sketches of each persons, based on episodes of their lives. Thanks to Plutarch work and B. J. Harrison excellent narration, you will gain a better understanding of the ancient world and the lives of noble Greeks and Romans. B. J.
By: Plutarch
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The Histories
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Herodotus was a Greek historian born in Halicarnassus, subject at the time of the great Persian Empire. He lived in the fifth century BC (c. 484 - c. 425 BC), a contemporary of Socrates. He is often referred to as "The Father of History", a title originally conferred by Cicero. Herodotus was the first historian known to have broken from Homeric tradition in order to treat historical subjects as a method of investigation, specifically by collecting his materials in a critical, systematic fashion and then arranging them into a chronological narrative.
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The Persian Expedition
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Seeking to depose his brother Artaxerxes and take his place upon the Persian throne, Cyrus the Younger leads the 10,000 mercenaries on a dangerous campaign deep into the heart of Persia. There, Cyrus is killed and his generals overthrown, leaving a young Xenophon to lead the army on its treacherous journey home. Snowy mountains, wide rivers, violent blizzards, and hostile tribes obstruct their way, testing Xenophon's leadership and his soldiers' perseverance to the extreme.
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The Gallic War
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Julius Caesar is one of the most famous figures of the ancient Roman world. A skillful general and leading politician of the late Roman Republic, he secured a 10-year proconsular command in the province of Gaul, during which he accumulated both wealth and power. A core text in the teaching of Latin in schools, The Gallic War gives a unique insight into this remarkable man, as well as military strategy and practice of the day.
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Great Reading Flawed By Editing
- By Fred Kiesche on 12-04-23
By: Julius Caesar
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The Twelve Caesars
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The Twelve Caesars was written based on the information of eyewitnesses and public records. It conveys a very accurate picture of court life in Rome and contains some of the raciest and most salacious material to be found in all of ancient literature. The writing is clear, simple and easy to understand, and the numerous anecdotes of juicy scandal, bitter court intrigue, and murderous brigandage easily hold their own against the most spirited content of today's tabloids.
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A pleasure to read...
- By Robyn C. Blaber on 03-13-10
By: Suetonius
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The Aeneid
- By: Virgil
- Narrated by: David Collins
- Length: 13 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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The masterpiece of Rome's greatest poet, Virgil's Aeneid has inspired generations of readers and holds a central place in Western literature. The epic tells the story of a group of refugees from the ruined city of Troy, whose attempts to reach a promised land in the West are continually frustrated by the hostile goddess Juno. Finally reaching Italy, their leader, Aeneas, is forced to fight a bitter war against the natives to establish the foundations from which Rome is destined to rise.
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Great story, but....
- By Tad Davis on 03-19-15
By: Virgil
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The Twelve Caesars
- By: Suetonius
- Narrated by: Clive Chafer
- Length: 17 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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As private secretary to the Emperor Hadrian, the scholar Suetonius had access to the imperial archives and used them (along with eyewitness accounts) to produce one of the most colorful biographical works in history. The Twelve Caesars chronicles the public careers and private lives of the men who wielded absolute power over Rome, from the foundation of the empire under Julius Caesar and Augustus, to the decline into depravity and civil war under Nero and the recovery that came with his successors.
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Heavily modified and softly translated
- By NeoAtreides on 12-03-15
By: Suetonius
What listeners say about Plutarch's Lives, Volume 1 of 2
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Amazon Customer
- 06-12-17
Great men in great age
Neither did Plutarch 's masterful writing,nor the narrator 's charming narration ,fail to present before us the memorable greatness and the honorable glory of the heroes of Greek and Rome.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Tipton
- 05-25-19
This was both a great book and hard to finish
tough book to finish, but great lessons and comparisons. looking forward to vol 2. we will see how long it takes.
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- Eileen N. Wagner
- 01-23-17
great conversation
Fifty-four years after translating Ceasar's Gaulic Wars without a "pony," I expected tough reading. But so pleasantly surprised was I by this performance of Vol. 1 that I intend to proceed to Vol. 2 eventually.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Jeff
- 12-20-14
Learn from the Titan's of Ages Past
No wonder this was one of Ben Franklin’s favorite books.
In Plutarch’s Lives, the listener is introduced to a selection of the most famous Greeks and Romans of the classical world, including men like Caesar, Alexander, Pompey and Cicero (part 2) and Lycurgus, Themistocles, Cato and Romulus (part 1). Plutarch succeeds in incorporating many of the accounts and anecdotes of his day to give us instructive portraits of the men, faults and all. As the officiating priest at Delphi, Plutarch had the perfect moral and social credit to make judgments and comparisons among these heroes (or villains) and gives us his honest judgment in each case.
While certain credence is given to providence in determining the fates of men, Plutarch focuses on the character traits and decisions that led to success or failure. He is refreshingly honest; when his account relies upon myth (such as with Romulus) he tells the reader plainly.
What really struck me when listening was how little has changed in 2,000 years. Despite the long years and obvious culture gap there is still much we can relate to. Just like Lycurgus, visionaries of today still strive to realize socialist utopias on earth. Just like Timoleon and Philopoemon, men today are still willing to fight and die for the cause of democracy. Just like Themistocles, Crassus and Alcibiades the talents and charisma that lead modern celebrities to fame so often conceal equally great character flaws. Just like the rabble of old, the masses today are still fickle and willing to listen to whatever crazy theory that the Tribunes (or congressmen) feed them. This is a book that is still wonderfully relevant to the modern reader.
If I had to complain, I wish the biographies had been organized into a continuous historical narrative. I’m something of an amateur history buff and still had trouble jumping among characters from the Peloponnesian, Persian, Punic and Social wars. In addition, I know that much of Plutarch’s work has been lost but still felt that many important characters such as Augustus, Hannibal and Socrates were sorely missed. Finally, the John Dryden translation is classic but many listeners may not be comfortable with 17th century English.
B.J. Harrison was a great choice for this production; his voice is lively, engaging and confident, allowing the reader to be absorbed into the narrative.
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16 people found this helpful
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- Christian Preus
- 11-23-22
Plutarch should be required reading
Well read version of this classic work. The narrator mispronounces a few names (e.g. Sulla as Silla) and mispronounces Latin pretty consistently, but is otherwise very pleasant to listen to.
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- Amazon Customer
- 02-24-16
TABLE of CONTENTS here:
Any additional comments?
Section 3 @ 00:00 = Theseus
Section 6 @ 01:19 = Romulus
Section 9 @ 02:42 = Comparison of Theseus & Romulus
Section 10 @ 02:53 = Lycurgus
Section 14 @ 04:25 = Numa
Section 17 @ 05:33 = Comparison of Lycurgus & Numa
Section 18 @ 05:48 = Solon
Section 21 @ 06:58 = Publicola
Section 23 @ 07:45 = Comparison of Solon & Publicola
Section 24 @ 07:54 = Themistocles
Section 27 @ 09:09 = Camillus
(no comparison exists)
Section 31 @ 10:48 = Pericles
Section 35 @ 12:38 = Fabius Maximus
Section 38 @ 13:46 = Comparison of Pericles & Fabius Maximus
Section 39 @ 13:52 = Alcibiades
Section 43 @ 15:37 = Coriolanus
Section 47 @ 17:18 = Comparison of Alcibiades & Coriolanus
Section 48 @ 17:29 = Timoleon
Section 52 @ 19:08 = Aemilius Paullus
Section 55 @ 20:37 = Comparison of Timoleon & Aemilius Paullus
Section 56 @ 20:42 = Pelopidas
Section 59 @ 22:03 = Marcellus
Section 62 @ 23:25 = Comparison of Pelopidas & Flaminius
Section 63 @ 23:33 = Aristides
Section 66 @ 24:48 = Cato the Elder
Section 69 @ 26:05 = Comparison of Aristides & Cato
Section 70 @ 26:19 = Philopoemen
Section 72 @ 27:09 = Flamininus
Section 74 @ 28:09 = Comparison of Philopoemen & Flaminius
Section 75 @ 28:15 = Pyrrhus
Section 79 @ 29:54 = Marius
(no comparison exists)
Section 83 @ 31:47 = Lysander
Section 86 @ 33:01 = Sulla
Section 90 @ 34:45 = Comparison of Lysander & Sulla
Section 91 @ 34:56 = Cimon
Section 93 @ 35:52 = Lucullus
Section 97 @ 37:50 = Comparison of Cimon & Lucullus
Section 98 @ 37:59 = Nicias
Section 101 @ 39:22 = Crassus
Section 104 @ 40:52 = Comparison of Nicias & Crassus
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84 people found this helpful
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- Hunter Weir
- 10-04-20
An excellent way to consume this monumental work
I preferred this narration to Charlton Griffin’s stilted one. Most will probably prefer the next volume because they contain more “classic” lives. Lots of good lessons & stories in this volume, however.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall
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Story
- G. Hawkins
- 12-18-23
Crassus
Certainly better than every film script. Foundation of selfless service - as in, don’t be like them if given power
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