Empire, Steven Saylor
Empire, Steven Saylor
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Empire
The Novel of Imperial Rome

Author: Steven Saylor

Narrator: James Langton

Unabridged: 23 hr 37 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/31/2010

Synopsis

"May Steven Saylor's Roman empire never fall. A modern master of historical fiction, Saylor convincingly transports us into the ancient world...enthralling!" —USA Today on Roma

Continuing the saga begun in his New York Times bestselling novel Roma, Steven Saylor charts the destinies of the aristocratic Pinarius family, from the reign of Augustus to height of Rome's empire. The Pinarii, generation after generation, are witness to greatest empire in the ancient world and of the emperors that ruled it—from the machinations of Tiberius and the madness of Caligula, to the decadence of Nero and the golden age of Trajan and Hadrian and more.
Empire is filled with the dramatic, defining moments of the age, including the Great Fire, the persecution of the Christians, and the astounding opening games of the Colosseum. But at the novel's heart are the choices and temptations faced by each generation of the Pinarii.
Steven Saylor once again brings the ancient world to vivid life in a novel that tells the story of a city and a people that has endured in the world's imagination like no other.

About Steven Saylor

Steven Saylor is the author of the long running Roma Sub Rosa series featuring Gordianus the Finder, as well as the New York Times bestselling novel, Roma and its follow-up, Empire. He has appeared as an on-air expert on Roman history and life on The History Channel. Saylor was born in Texas and graduated with high honors from The University of Texas at Austin, where he studied history and classics. He divides his time between Berkeley, California, and Austin, Texas.

About James Langton

James Langton is an actor and narrator who has performed many voice-overs and narrated numerous audiobooks, including the international bestseller The Brotherhood of the Holy Shroud by Julia Navarro, Fire Storm by Andrew Lane, and An Old Betrayal by Charles Finch. He has won multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards for his work in narration. As a voice-over artist, he has worked with a host of industrial and commercial clients including Geico, Johnson&Johnson, and ask.com. He is also a professional musician who led the internationally renowned Pasadena Roof Orchestra from 1996 to 2002. Langton was born in York, England, and is now based in New York City.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Mark on May 21, 2022

Empire by Steven Saylor is right where I want to be, all the time. I’ve heard good things about this author and now I know why. This story doesn’t mess around, in fact he races through time – he covers the period from Augustus to Hadrian (14CE to 141 CE) in only 700 pages. (note: Colleen McCullough......more

Goodreads review by Clemens on January 03, 2022

Read this book in 2010, and its the 2nd volume of the wonderful "Rome" series. This book is set from the begin of Augustus's reign as Emperor towards the year AD 141. In this book we follow again the destinies of the now aristocratic Pinarius family and the common Pinarii during the Reign of Emperor A......more

Goodreads review by Mr. Matt on February 11, 2014

Empire is the follow up to Roma and I'm sorry to say that it left me a bit disappointed. In his comments at the end of the book the author confesses his own struggles in writing the book. Once the Republic ended and Empire began the story of Rome largely becomes the story of the Emperors - their fai......more

Goodreads review by Jennie on April 23, 2019

I read Empire without knowing the existence of its predecessor, Roma. Many reviewers bemoan the inaccuracy of some of the events, but I found it was the perfect balance of historical facts and fictional anecdotes. The storytelling captures the essence of the Roman empire as the reader follow the hei......more

Goodreads review by Nancy on September 11, 2010

Unlike the book “Roma,” which covers 1,000 years, this history of Rome covers a little over a century from the years A.D. 14 to A.D. 141. Saylor explores the reign of 16 emperors from Augustus to the infamous Nero (who actually didn’t fiddle while Rome burned) to Hadrian whose wall built across nort......more

Quotes

“The Pinarii characters afford an excellent lens through which to view both imperial and daily life, and the great events of the span from 14 CE through 141 CE, including the Great Fire, the persecutions of Christians, numerous military campaigns, and, of course, insanity and perversion among the emperors. Saylor is an excellent guide through this fascinating underworld. Superb historical fiction.” —Booklist (starred review)

“Saylor's encyclopedic knowledge and sense of detail are on ample display, as is his impressive ability to weave centuries of history into an entertaining narrative...[a] magnificent feat of storytelling.” —Historical Fiction Review

“May one day be seen as his magnum opus. It is certainly the most ambitious of his novels thus far, and the grandest in its sweeping scope and attention to detail...full of power and pathos.” —Ben Witherington, The Bible and Culture

“I rate a book by whether I simply read it or devour it. This I devoured.” —Rob Cain, Ancient Rome Refocused

“Meticulous research and brilliant storytelling... What impressed me most was the novel's powerful emotional impact: the pain of unrequited love, hopes disappointed or friendship betrayed as well as the joy of a love returned, spiritual enlightenment or simply being alive. This is a great book by a great writer.” —newbooks magazine

“Love stories, including forbidden ones, intrigue, action in the Arena, thrilling escapes, tons of 'it can't be true but actually it was' anecdotes...as well as many superb characters--you will find all in these almost 600 pages. With extraordinary detail and world building, Empire is a clear work of love for the author and the single best novel he has written.” —Fantasy Book Critic

“Historical events provide plenty of depraved details and comparisons that beg to be drawn to today; lions and gladiators in the arena, volcanic eruptions, live burials, and master illusionists abound to fire up any number of dinner conversations....Recommended for anyone who enjoys Roman history.” —Library Journal

“Saylor...vividly describes how the family survives the volcanic destruction of Pompeii, the burning of Rome, and the persecution of Jews and Christians.” —Publishers Weekly

“Filled with tales of intrigue, ambition, violence, and suspense...a vivid evocation of the bloodthirsty, chaotic spectacle that was ancient Rome, and an example of how the best historical fiction brings the past to life.” —Archaeology Magazine

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