
A lively, illustrated journey takes listeners from the rolling hills of the Italian peninsula to the bustling banks of the Tiber, where the legend of Rome first took shape. The narrative introduces the early peoples—Etruscans, Sabines, and Latins—explaining how their cultures, languages, and clever engineering laid the groundwork for a civilization that would soon dominate the Mediterranean. Through vivid descriptions of forts, pottery, and the iconic Palatine Hill, the story brings the ancient world to life without overwhelming detail.
Continuing forward, the book follows Rome’s rise from a modest settlement to a powerful republic, highlighting key events, heroic figures, and the everyday life of soldiers, artisans, and citizens. Richly complemented by period illustrations, the account remains accessible for younger ears while preserving the excitement of battles, politics, and cultural achievements that defined the early empire, all the way up to the dawn of the medieval world.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (347K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Graeme Mackreth and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2005-09-07
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1823–1901
A major Victorian novelist, she wrote with deep religious conviction and a sharp eye for family life, education, and moral choice. Her stories were hugely popular in 19th-century England and helped shape generations of young readers.
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