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  • EMPEROR: The Gates of Rome, Book 1 (Unabridged)

  • By: Conn Iggulden
  • Narrated by: Robert Glenister
  • Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (178 ratings)

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EMPEROR: The Gates of Rome, Book 1 (Unabridged) cover art

EMPEROR: The Gates of Rome, Book 1 (Unabridged)

By: Conn Iggulden
Narrated by: Robert Glenister
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Publisher's Summary

On a small estate just outside Rome in the first century BC, two boys become blood brothers, little imagining the extraordinary future that lies before them. As friends and rivals, Gaius and Marcus are destined to find lasting fame.
©2009 Conn Iggulden (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about EMPEROR: The Gates of Rome, Book 1 (Unabridged)

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

excellent story and narrator to match

always interested in the history and story matched the time
Very enjoyable and the narrator added value - couldn't wait to download the next book

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5 people found this helpful

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

Poor Historian

Interesting story if you don’t mind there is little to no connection to actual historical fact, dates or actual people. Got to chapter 12, but just can’t finish it, as it doesn’t portray the real story of the Julian family or Rome.

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1 person found this helpful

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

A good story but not good history.

Ripping yarn told with Robert Glenister's usual aplomb.
Spoilt by the author's disregard for historical accuracy with regard to known facts about real people and events.

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1 person found this helpful

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

A terrific, thrilling adventure book.

A terrific, thrilling adventure book, and very well narrated. I couldn’t put this one down. If you like Iggulden’s other books, I’m sure you’ll like this.

He’s one of the greats of historical fiction.

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

Loved it

This is a childhood favourite I’ve revisited after 10 years… ( now 22 ) I have enjoyed it

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

Loved it

I've listened to hundreds of audio books but this is one of my favourites. Excellently story with gripping characters and perfect narration. Highly recommended.

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

A must read

Iggulden is a great author and this book is a great read. I’m so glad the story is not over yet and I have many more in this series yet to devour.

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

Historical inaccuracies and too much violence

Robert Glenister's sterling narration unfortunately can't overcome the drawbacks of this book. I'm no student of history but even I know that corn - referenced several times - didn't make it to Europe until centuries after Roman times. Such mistakes made this a jarring listen. I also didn't enjoy the many protracted scenes depicting violence of one sort or another, nor the fact that so far, the few female characters are paper thin and tokenistic.

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

History Alive

Wonderful details that allows for vivid imagination to immerse in the story. Impressed how the reader could voice and play each character.

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

Good story but spoiled somewhat by lacking any historical accuracy

I found it a bit odd and annoying that the author pays no or little regard to the historical record - particularly as the records we have leave lots of gaps and therefore leave room for a story teller to get creative. For example, Marius didn’t have a legion with him to defend Rome and had a son. Roman society norms aren’t that well adhered to, either. Simon Scarrow’s novels are far better in that they don’t unnecessarily diverge from the historical record (such as it is) even though his protagonists are fictitious.

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