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The Last Years of the Roman Republic
By Tom Holland
Category: Ancient World History | Military History | Politics
Dec 18, 2007 | 464 Pages
About Rubicon
A vivid historical account of the social world of Rome as it moved from republic to empire. In 49 B.C., the seven hundred fifth year since the founding of Rome, Julius Caesar crossed a small border river called the Rubicon and plunged Rome into cataclysmic civil war. Tom Holland's enthralling account tells the story of Caesar's generation, witness to the twilight of the Republic and its bloody transformation into an empire. From Cicero, Spartacus, and Brutus, to Cleopatra, Virgil, and Augustus, here are some of the most legendary figures in history brought thrillingly to life. Combining verve and freshness with scrupulous scholarship, Rubicon is not only an engrossing history of this pivotal era but a uniquely resonant portrait of a great civilization in all its extremes of self-sacrifice and rivalry, decadence and catastrophe, intrigue, war, and world-shaking ambition.
Also by Tom Holland
See all books by Tom Holland
About Tom Holland
Tom Holland is the author of Rubicon, Persian Fire, The Forge of Christendom, and In the Shadow of the Sword and is the translator of The Histories by Herodotus. He wrote and presented Islam: The Untold Story, a documentary commissioned… More about Tom Holland
Published by Anchor
Mar 08, 2005 | 464 Pages | 5-3/16 x 8 | ISBN 9781400078974
Dec 18, 2007 | 464 Pages | ISBN 9780307427519
People Who Read Rubicon Also Read
"Stunning. . . . Holland keeps his narrative moving at chariot-race speed." –Newsday
"This gripping narrative resurrects some of the half-forgotten personalities and events that shaped who we are. . . . It enables the reader to relive the slow, bloodstained collapse of a system, not only as a fascinating drama in its own right but as a morality tale." –Anthony Everitt, author of Cicero
"A fascinating picture of Roman city life. . . . In every aspect of this story, Holland expertly makes the Romans, so alien and yet so familiar, relevant to us." –Los Angeles Times
"Tremendously intelligent, vibrant and witty." –The Washington Times
"The crispest and most compelling account. . . . A historical thrill ride." –The Seattle Times
"Splendid. . . . Rich. . . . Holland writes history with a sense of immediacy, and with the passion and pacing of a novelist. . . . His absorbing, witty narrative captures the scope and drama of the republic and shapes its labyrinthine elements into a single continuum." –Houston Chronicle
"[A] book that really held me, in fact, obsessed me. . . . Narrative history at its best." –Ian McEwan, The Guardian, Books of the Year
"Very readable. . . . Witty, literate. . . . [It] outlines as no other story in history can the perils and misadventures that bring down democratic governments." –St. Petersburg Times
"Gripping and hugely entertaining. . . . It is a story crammed with drama and spectacle, but the real attraction of Holland's book is the wit and contemporary sensibility that he brings to his often bloody tale." –The Sunday Times (London), Top 5 History Books of the Year
"Lucid, stylish and witty, and interesting in its analysis. . . . Informative, balanced, and accessible, Holland's compelling brand of narrative history is a praiseworthy rendition of one of the most complex periods in history." –BookPage
"A lively, popularly written history. . . . Holland's book is full of memorable characters." –World
"Explosive stuff. . . . Seriously intelligent history written with élan and gusto." –BBC History Magazine
"Lively, readable, briskly paced. . . . Thoroughly grounded in the relevant source material. . . . Seamless, forward-moving. . . . Not only a gripping account of the Roman past, but an important perspective on the current American moment. . . . Rubicon succeeds brilliantly." –Claremont Review of Books
"Richly resonant. . . . Ancient history lives in this vivid chronicle." –Booklist (starred review)
"A terrific read and a remarkable piece of scholarship. As an introduction to Roman history, it is unlikely to be bettered." –Daily Mail
"Holland brings a novelist's eye to the ancient republic's collapse. . . . [He] also draws a fascinating portrait of the social life of Rome and the republic in the first century B.C. . . . Written with flair, wit and solid historical research, Rubicon is grand history and grandly entertaining." –Flint Journal
"A vivid social portrait of the Roman world." –Sunday Telegraph


"Payroll tax cut," even the title is a lie. "Retirement income funding cut" would be more accurate. I'm tired of these left-wing euphemisms and the MSM's relentless use of them in their campaign to keep Democrats in office.
This battle was one which should have been won back six months ago.
I don't know what it is about Republicans that every year they allow these sorts of emotionally charged paycheck issues to be postponed until Christmas time and then suddenly they decide that it's time for them to "show a little backbone."
Everybody who is paying attention knows that "the pay roll tax cut is actually a reduction in the amount of money going into the Social Security "trust fund" (in itself a lie).
This battle is not about helping the working families of America (with Democrats, it never is), it's about using some emotionally charged issue as a club with which Obama and the Democrats can beat Republicans about the head during a season of the year in which money for families is always tight.
Checkmate: At Christmas time, you can't win the battle between reason and "compassion"
The Republicans have been caught playing a fool's game on the fool's turf, by the fool's timetable and now they have been played right into the hands of Democrats and the White House.
House Republicans have got to be the most politically tone deaf people in the world. When they should be standing firm, they roll over and when they should be flexible, they plow forwards like a ship sailing into a hurricane.
How can anybody be so unaware of how this debate is being played out in the press and the eyes of the electorate??? This battle is not solely about what is right or wrong, it is about how the fight is seen by the voting public.
Most people are not spending their days reading political blogs, surfing Drudge and the alternative news web pages, or participating on debate forums, they are catching a half-hour of news in between taking care of their kids, preparing dinner, shopping for Christmas, and working their jobs.
Republicans had two paths to certain victory, both of which would accrue not just to their benefit, but to the benefit of the American people. Problem is that Republicans needed to be fighting this battle six months ago, explaining the issue in terms simple enough and clear enough that the electorate could understand.
First alternative, come out four square against the "tax-cut" by blasting it as a threat to the retirement of the elderly and endangering everyone's social security.
That is a winning argument. Make it strongly, make it clearly, and make it repeatedly in the public arena, you can't lose it. Combine that with a push for a REAL tax-cut and attack the President's hypocrisy for opposing the Bush tax cuts while promoting a cut to the funding of our social security--you've got victory.
Hammer the message home. Repeat the description and the message over and over again. Force Democrats to use the language of truth, the payroll tax cut is a threat to the continued existence of a Social Security system that already faces a grave fiscal future.
Their second alternative was to agree to a one year extension of the payroll tax cut "in the spirit of cooperation and bi-partisanship" combined with an implacable demand for the Keystone XL pipeline "so we can get Americans working again."
Again, hammer the message home. Continue to make the identical argument over and over again and if the Senate Democrats don't pass it, send the exact the same proposal to them again . . . and again--always blaming them for high unemployment and accusing the President and them of "pandering to special interest enviro-wackos at the price of jobs for America's unemployed." Make the Democrats vote down the Keystone XL pipeline over and over again. Another certain victory.
But no, Republicans sent over a one-year bill with the pipeline, the right first move. But then, in the Senate McConnell instantly folds like the cheap suit he is. He compromises with a "kick the can down the road" 2-month extension, with a promise that required Obama to make a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline within that 60 day window, in effect hanging the House out to dry. Then, without a whisper, McConnell allows Reid to close down the Senate and go home as though the whole issue was solved.
Once more Mitch McConnell has proven how weak and ineffectual he is. Spineless hardly suffices for this go-along-to-get-along, "collegial fellow," inside the beltway politician. Where was the fight to the last man, Mitch? Where were the press conferences held on the steps of the capitol demanding Democrats pass the House bill? Where was . . . any effective leadership whatsoever?
At the point that McConnell and the Republicans in the Senate capitulated, the House Republicans' only choice was to agree to the Senate bill--because it did have a requirement for a decision on the pipeline included in it.
Apparently Boehner, Cantor, and crew are too tone deaf to realize when they've been out maneuvered. Instead of licking their wounds and learning the lessons from this episode, they pigheadedly vote the Senate bill down--without voting for an alternative.
They actually did have one possible path to victory. They should have had the replacement bill prepared and ready to go with another one year extension, the Keystone pipeline, and the unemployment compensation extension. Then they could have set the debate rules--as the Democrats repeatedly did--so that they could pass the second bill within a day, and send it back to the Senate.
If you're going to play hardball, make sure you have the team ready to play and a winning game plan. Boehner and McConnell should have had this all planned out and coordinated so that the onus was instantly placed back on the shoulders of the Democrats in the Senate. Let them go home defending the fact that they had a second chance to pass their beloved "payroll tax cut" and turned their backs on it.
By defeating the Senate plan without having an alternative bill ready to go, House Republicans are fighting a battle they've already lost. They have been routed in the battle for public opinion and we will pay the price in the next election.
We cannot afford to be playing spur-of-the-moment chess in this battle for our economic survival and we can't afford to be out maneuvered by our own side's unwillingness to face down Democrat political ploys.
Republicans are right on the issues. This was a battle Republicans could have and should have won, but, once again, they have allowed themselves to be flanked by the Democrats and the President and portrayed as "Grinches" who are stealing American workers' paychecks.
The Republican leadership has got to do better and we deserve better from our representatives.


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M1 bridge work showcased at exhibitions
Preparatory work has already begun for the new M1 bridge at Lubbesthorpe
The proposed new M1 bridge
Plans for a new bridge set to span the M1 at Lubbesthorpe are to be showcased at two public exhibitions.
Early work has already begun at the site, with the £10 milliion bridge due to be completed by August 2016.
The new bridge will span from Meridian Way in Leicester to the new 4,250 home Lubbesthorpe development, which will be located to the west of the M1 motorway and north of the M69.
People can find out more about the construction by attending drop-in sessions taking place on Monday May 18, from 3pm to 7pm, at Leicester Forest East Parish Hall, and on Wednesday May 20, from 3pm to 7pm. at Thorpe Astley Community Centre.
The M1 bridge being built at Lubbesthorpe
The scheme is being overseen by a project board made up of Leicestershire County Council, the New Lubbesthorpe landowners, Blaby District Council, Highways England, A-one+ and the design consultants, WSP Group.
Pete Price, assistant director for transportation at the county council, on behalf of the board, said: "We hope people will come along, view the plans and speak to officers who will be on hand to advise about the construction and answer questions.
"The exhibitions will also provide a chance to find out where people can obtain updates about the work and how the programme has been designed to minimise its effect on road users and local communities."
The bridge will provide a link to the new development and will also help reduce congestion and the impact of traffic on Beggars Lane/A47.
It has been funded with a £5 million grant from the Department for Transport's Local Pinch Point Fund and money from the New Lubbesthorpe landowners.
Lubbesthorpe SUE
Blaby District Council

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Nauticos Corporation was founded in September 1986 and provides ocean technology services to government, science and industry. In 1995, Nauticos Corporation received international recognition for its participation in the discovery of the I-52, a historic World War II deep-water shipwreck of a Japanese submarine found at a depth of 17,000 feet. After this discovery, Nauticos Corporation began its expansion into ocean exploration and discovery. In 1998, Nauticos Corporation managed the operations for "Titanic Live", a live broadcast from the bottom of the ocean, for the Discovery Channel and NBC's Dateline.
Sonar image of the submarine I-52, resting at a depth of 17,000 feet in the Atlantic.
In 1999, Nauticos Corporation again gained worldwide recognition for the discovery of the DAKAR, an Israeli submarine lost in the Mediterranean Sea in 1968. Many previous efforts had failed to find the lost submarine, but Nauticos Corporation located the DAKAR off the coast of Crete at a depth of 10,000 feet by relying on its proprietary RENAV software to define the search area. This project culminated in the recovery of a 4-ton piece of the hull that was delivered to Haifa, Israel for preservation and exhibit in a memorial to the crew. At the same time, Nauticos Corporation teamed with the Naval Oceanographic Office to locate wreckage from the Japanese aircraft carriers sunk at the World War II Battle of Midway in 1942. The discovery of the Kaga, lying at a depth of 17,500 feet, was the subject of a Discovery Channel documentary that appeared in December 2000. During the DAKAR operation, Nauticos Corporation also discovered an ancient shipwreck dating back to the third century BC, with thousands of archaeological artifacts in pristine condition. The Institute of Nautical Archeology at Texas A&M University claims that this wreck is the oldest, deepest shipwreck yet discovered.
The bridge gyrocompass of the DAKAR rests on the bottom at a depth of 10,000 feet.
During 2000, Nauticos Corporation began to see the fruition of its 1998 vision as it signed $15 million of new core business contracts, aired its first television documentary, completed several successful salvage operations, and began work on several new media products. Nauticos Corporation also developed a 6,000-meter deep-towed sonar system, NOMAD, the main component of a planned suite of ocean operations equipment.
2001 saw the company embark on a program to search for Amelia Earhart's lost Electra, with the first expedition setting out in February of 2002. Though the plane was not found, a significant portion of the search area was covered using NOMAD.
In 2003, Nauticos Corporation was merged with Oceaneering International, which continued much of the government and industry work the company had supported over the prior seventeen years. As part of the agreement, founder David Jourdan formed Nauticos, LLC, which continues the program of Ocean Discovery projects that the company had been pursuing. In 2006, Jourdan led a second expedition to the Earhart search area, and covered more territory. He also supported projects in such diverse areas as the use of deep-ocean water, historical shipwreck searches, and stratospheric exploration.
David W. Jourdan is the founder and president of Nauticos LLC, a company devoted to the exploration of the deep oceans.
His career of nearly 30 years has been devoted to the exploration of the deep oceans, concentrating in the areas of remote sensing, underwater navigation, and renewable energy applications.
During his commission as a U.S. Navy submarine officer and as a physicist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, he became an expert in the exploitation of large undersea environmental data sets, specializing in information collected by U.S. Navy ocean research submersibles and associated development programs.
As leader of Nauticos for over 20 years, he has continued to support scientific, archaeological, and military programs. These include the development of oceanographic database systems for the Navy, development and use of Kalman Filter navigation analysis software for submarine inertial navigators, and support of autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) test programs. More recently, he has worked on projects to develop the use of cold Deep-Ocean Water for fresh water production, cold agriculture, and other renewable energy applications.
In 1999 Mr. Jourdan was honored as Maryland's Small Business Person of the Year and awarded Ernest and Young's Entrepreneur of the Year in Science and Technology. He is an International Fellow of the Explorer's Club, and a member of the Sea-Space Symposium.