Famous Romans

by J. Rufus Fears

12 hours 26 mins

These 24 lectures retell the lives of the remarkable individuals - the statesmen, thinkers, warriors, and writers - who shaped the history of the Roman Empire and, by extension, our own history and culture.

Among the fascinating gallery of individuals whose lives, ideas, actions, and legacies you'll explore are Hannibal (who caused the Second Punic War personally, much as Adolf Hitler caused World War II), Augustus (who, beginning at the age of just 19, brilliantly followed a doctrine of ruthless expediency in order to rescue Rome from a century of civil war), and Marcus Aurelius (that most noble and philosophic of rulers who may have hastened the Empire's decline by tolerating the wicked cruelty of his heir).

Professor Fears divides his presentation into three "turning point" epochs in Roman history: Rome's war with Hannibal (the Second Punic War); Caesar and the end of the Roman Republic; and the imperial era between Augustus and Marcus Aurelius.

As he presents the great figures of each period, he makes them seem personal and immediate. As you study these and many other significant Romans, you'll probe fundamental questions about the political and cultural history of Rome. What was the impact of Greek civilization on the Romans? Why did the Roman people, at the height of military, political, and economic power, abandon their republican liberty for the dictatorship of Caesar and his successors? What made the 2nd century A.D. one the most creative periods in world history? And why did the central figures of Roman history hold so much appeal for America's Founding Fathers?

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Audiobook, Ancient History, Ancient, Historical

13 pages, Audible Audio

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Dr. J. Rufus Fears is David Ross Boyd Professor of Classics at the University of Oklahoma, where he holds the G. T. and Libby Blankenship Chair in the History of Liberty. He also serves as David and Ann Brown Distinguished Fellow of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. He earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University. Before joining the faculty at the University of Oklahoma, Professor Fears was Professor of History and Distinguished Faculty Research Lecturer at Indiana University, and Professor of Classical Studies and Chair of the Department of Classical Studies at Boston University.

An acclaimed teacher and scholar with 25 awards for teaching excellence, Professor Fears was chosen Professor of the Year on three occasions by students at the University of Oklahoma. His other accolades include the Medal for Excellence in College and University Teaching from the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, the University Continuing Education Association (UCEA) Great Plains Region Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the UCEA's National Award for Teaching Excellence.

Professor Fears's books and monographs include The Cult of Jupiter and Roman Imperial Ideology and The Theology of Victory at Rome. He edited a three-volume edition of Selected Writings of Lord Acton. His discussions of the Great Books have appeared in newspapers across the country and have aired on national television and radio programs.

Reviews

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Professor Rufus Fears has a great way of presenting each of his Romans. You can tell that he loves his subjects and he draws you into their personalities by giving you enough historical context. I particularly enjoyed the lecture on Cicero and how this man used his Greek education to live by a code based on “four absolute truths:” wisdom, justice, courage and moderation. In fact, Professor Fears comes back to this subject matter in several other lectures when he questions the premise that: “no immoral act can ever be expedient.” He also takes the time to relate what America’s “Founding Fathers” found so attractive in Cicero.

This is not a collection meant to inspire the young to emulate. Fears attempts to give us a full picture of each. All history is selective and that is certainly true with respect to these vignettes about famous Romans. There is only so much that can be covered in 30 minutes.

Here is the list of Romans that Professor Fears has chosen to discuss:
Publius Cornelius Scipio ..................................
Hannibal ...........................................................
Gaius Flaminius ..............................................
Quintus Fabius Maximus .................................
Scipio Africanus the Elder ...............................
Scipio the Younger .........................................
Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus ..........................
Crassus ............................................................
Gaius Julius Caesar ..........................................
Caesar and Vercingetorix................................
Pompey the Great.............................................
Cato the Younger ...................... .......................
Brutus and the Opposition to Caesar................
Cicero ...............................................................
Augustus ..........................................................
Vergil ...............................................................
Claudius ..........................................................
Nero .................................................................
Trajan ...............................................................
Hadrian.............................................................
Epictetus...........................................................
Apuleius .........................................................
Plutarch, Suetonius, and Tacitus ....................
Marcus Aurelius.......................................... ...

Both entertaining and enlightening. Full marks!

[Xavier Patiño · Rating 4 out of 5]

These were highly entertaining lectures narrated by Professor J. Rufus Fears. Some other reviews here mention Fears as annoying or obnoxious. I think he is very passionate about his subjects and that comes across when he speaks about the great Romans. I found him hilarious and he had my full attention when I would listen!

I learned a good amount about men like Cicero and Marcus Aurelius. In the future I would like to read their respective works and get to know them better. The lectures were a nice accompaniment to my current project of reading Gibbon's History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

[Amy Gideon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't get into this. The professor reminds me of a preacher giving a sermon. Couldn't get past the performance to concentrate on the content.

[Michael Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my review on Famous Greeks, as everything I said there applies to this.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My version is the CD lecture series plus accompanying guidebook.

Professor Fears was an excellent storyteller. While I'm listening, I forget where we are in the lecture. When it's over I think, "So much time has passed!" It's easy to see why he won so many lecturer awards. I learned a great deal about how the individuals in his course determined the directions taken by Rome and its empire. Then there are his philosophical meditations and comparisons with our civilization.

I was amused to read another reviewer's comparison with Professor Fears with a preacher. I made that connection of style too, and if it had been in a bad way, I would have had to force myself through this course. When I noticed, it was because he almost always pronounces "cavalry" as "calvary". A little research showed me, yes, he learned his style in the Georgia of his youth. In Professor Fears, it works.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! He tells the history of famous Romans through telling stories about them. How could you not enjoy that? Highly recommended.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hung onto every word of this. Super interesting, well presented and entertaining. Would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in famous Romans.

[Liesl de Swardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fabulous

[Katie Cortina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love all his lectures

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, this was just to pass the time since I it was summer and I missed my college courses. I did end up enjoying it. I learned a lot of things I hadn't know before. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys history.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great set of lectures by Rufus Fears.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely excellent. Highly highly recommended.

I was struck by how similar the headlines of today are to the upheavals in Rome.

[Kevin Siepel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time through this series of lectures. Prof. Fears is an outstanding teacher.

[Stanley Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another entertaining work from Dr. Fears. Famous Romans engages the reader from the beginning. Dr. Fears takes some getting used to but he is always informative...

[Charles Lupo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish all of my history teachers were this engaging. Excellent job.

[Anand Raval · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally the history audiobook i was waiting for. Love it when someone converts history into such a beautiful set of lectures.
Thank you professor.
Looking forward to your famous greeks audiobook

[Don Heiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2001 The Teaching Company released University of Oklahoma Classics Professor J. Rufus Fears 24 lecture course titled “Famous Romans.” His lectures profile renown early Roman military leaders, emperors, political authorities, philosophers, and teachers. Also, Prof Fears lectures feature the founding of Rome by Romulus and Remus in 1240 BC, the Punic Wars, the destruction of Carthage, and the leadership of Julius Caesar and Augustus from 60 BC to 14 AD. The lectures conclude with discussions of the Julio-Claudian emperors, and the political leaders from 96 to 180 AD. Throughout all his lectures Prof Fears references famous Roman thought leaders such as Cicero, Tacitus, and Epictetus among others. His lectures are exceptionally well done. Rufus Fears has a unique presentation style that uses voice inflictions and cadences to give life to the personality of the people he profiles. His style places the listener in the presence of the person he discusses. The guide book is exceptionally well done. The book’s glossary, bibliographic reference notes, and historic timeline lines contributed greatly to my understanding of Roman thought. Finally, Professor Fears lectures feature how present day events are influenced by the historic events and thinking of Famous Romans who founded the empire many centuries ago. (P)

[John Teske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prof Rufus Fears remains entertaining and intellectually stimulating as always!

I can see that some of his course material overlaps. I have also listened to his "Lessons from History" Great Courses, which is outstanding.

This course also is outstanding! I have had 6 years of Latin in high school and college and so it was good to finally put into historical perspective all the names I have heard throughout so many years. Very educational!

It also has helped to place events on the map of Italy as I have been there a couple of times now and am planning to go a few more times.

Just excellent; highly recommend this!

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This course offers a new way of looking at Roman history, and that is through people; great Romans of their time. It really works, covering these individuals enhances the experience of being put in the times and helps build better foundational understanding of these individuals and the who, what, where, why and how.

[Tamminh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Similar to his Famous Greeks course, Prof. Fears leveraged his masterful storytelling skills to bring these Roman figures to life. The course is entertaining and illuminating, with applicable lessons skillfully prescribed.

[Kevin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Impossible to listen to. The man sounds like a carnival barker.

[Michelle Mosley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great set of lectures from Professor Fears.

[Daeny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean it was pretty enjoyable but the absolutely uncritical adulation in this man’s voice.... concerning. Also I definitely tuned out a lot at the end. V educational tho

[Kiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable course on famous Romans.

[Enrico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like his other course Famous Greeks these are short biographies in the style that Plutarch used. And the author did this very well.

[Jeremiah Lorrig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fears is an energetic and passionate storyteller. He brings alive the character of each of the famous Romans and engages the lessons to be learned by studying their lives.

[Scott Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love me some Romans. Great book and listening to it is the best way to get the most out of it. Too much awesomeness to put in one review. Just read it.

[John Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series but Dr Fears maybe an acquired taste

[Clint · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had heard that this particular lecturer was not for everyone. While I can see that being the case, his style is gripping and entertaining

Check it out if you have an interest in Antiquity

[Nicolas Hoffmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad audiobooks