The Assassination of Julius Caesar

A People's History of Ancient Rome

By: Michael Parenti

Narrated by: David Stifel

"A provocative history" of intrigue and class struggle in ancient Rome - "an important alternative to the usual views of Caesar and the Roman Empire" (Publishers Weekly).

Most historians, both ancient and modern, have viewed the Late Republic of Rome through the eyes of its rich nobility - the one percent of the population who controlled 99 percent of the empire's wealth. In The Assassination of Julius Caesar, Michael Parenti recounts this period, spanning the years 100 to 33 BC, from the perspective of the Roman people. In doing so, he presents a provocative, trenchantly researched narrative of popular resistance against a powerful elite.

As Parenti carefully weighs the evidence concerning the murder of Caesar, he adds essential context to the crime with fascinating details about Roman society as a whole. In this book, we find reflections on the democratic struggle waged by Roman commoners, religious augury as an instrument of social control, the patriarchal oppression of women, and the political use of homophobic attacks. The Assassination of Julius Caesar offers a whole new perspective on an era thought to be well-known.

©2003 Michael Parenti (P)2022 Tantor

Parenti is amazing

Very eye-opening. Thank you Michael Parenti! As an actor who has performed the play, it is fascinating to hear a different side of history

Open your mind

a brilliant, staggering expose of what Parenyi he refers to as "gentleman's history," or history told by the victors, the powerful, the owners of capital. He sheds a light on the facts of Caesar's assassination, and how it was entirely tied to his efforts to improve the lives of the poor, the working class, the Forgotten and maligned of rome. Put aside what you think you know about this historical event and era, and open your mind to the idea that history may not be as objective and impartial, or that the practices, prejudices, and peccadillos of the era are in any way as irrelevant today, as we might think.

Parenti knows best!

What a great book and enjoyable listen. Parenti is the best and I highly recommend

Super easy listening & very engaging

In college courses Parenti’s obvious emphasis on class relations begged to be identified as the driving force of Antiquity & Roman History. Why all my Professors refused to address class relations directly was a clear indication of their biases. Parenti has written a serious yet entertaining book and the narration is outstanding and engaging.

Fantastic history and its modern influences

Michael has done a better job of explaining whay happened and why it happened than any prior lexicon or historical series I've had pleasure to experience. His economic perspectives and inferences make the subject relevant to today's economies as well.