Roman History

Volume One

By: Appian of Alexandria

Narrated by: Charlton Griffin

Appian of Alexander was a Greek historian who lived at the height of the Roman Empire during the first half of the 2nd century AD, having been born around AD 95 and died about AD 165. Very little is known about him beyond what he reveals about himself, along with the fact that he lived in Alexandria. He was a Roman citizen and held several senior-level public offices, both in Alexandria and in Rome. His claim to fame rests on two works: Roman History and The Civil Wars, the latter being by far the most valuable. These histories have come down to us in many complete books along with a considerable number of fragments.

Volume One traces all the wars Rome fought, but does so on the basis of geography. For example, all the wars which were fought in Spain are dealt with in chronological order from the earliest conflicts right up to the time of Appian. Each geographical area in the Roman Empire is dealt with on this basis. However, the Civil Wars are dealt with separately in Volume Two.

Translated from the Greek by Horace White.

Public Domain (P)2021 Audio Connoisseur

Excellent though slightly confusing

I've been reading quite a few of the ancient historians over the last two years and they are truly remarkable. Appian tells the stories of Rome's Wars very well, but unlike for example Polybius, he writes about these wars based om where they were fought. Hannibal's wsr against Rome is treated first in the chapter on Spain which chapter then goes on until the days of Augustus, then there is a chapter on Hannibal's fighting in Italy and finally his fighting in Africa is detailed as part of the chapter on wars in Africa. Frustrating and a bit confusing.
Still, it is an excellent piece of history and highly recommend.

Appian as a source

While Appian writes history by region instead of by chronology of the whole history, I love reading the sources of the history of Rome. Appian, like Polybius, gives a non Roman view and I love hearing the ancient perspectives, plus the Roman sources.

Another Epic Title by Charlton Griffin!

I wanted to be the first to review this title. I am grateful you chose a translation I picked up last year cheap and the timing couldn't be better. Appian was in my queue to listen to via Alexa since cataracts have me blind enough I can't read long enough to finish a book. I didn't even notice both titles today and got them immediately and I'll rip through these two over the next week but I'm lining up 10 titles to finish in a week to get another gold badge from Audible. I have 15 gold badges now. Unfortunately the review shows for both titles in the series so I can't give you 5 stars for both. maybe check into that. must be because it's a series and Audible screwed up