Caesar!

· BBC Digital Audio · Narrated by Andrew Garfield, Anton Lesser, David Tennant, David Troughton, Full Cast, and Tom Hiddleston
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8 hr 30 min
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About this audiobook

Nine BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramas by Mike Walker, chronicling Rome’s greatest rulers

Drawing on historical sources including Suetonius’s ‘Lives of the Caesars’, Mike Walker’s compelling drama cycle follows the story of the leaders of Rome, from Julius Caesar’s ascension to power to the collapse of the Roman Empire in the West in AD 475.

Meeting at FormiaeJulius Caesar secretly seeks senate leaders Cicero and Cato’s support to shake up the rule of Rome. Stars David Troughton as Caesar, Anton Lesser as Cicero and Stephen Critchlow as Cato.

The Arena – As Julius’s appointed heir, young Octavian uses his legendary political skills to outwit enemies and rule Rome. Starring Adam Levy as Octavian.

Peeling Figs for Julius – His name is now a byword for depravity, but growing up in Tiberius’s court, how evil was Emperor Caligula? Stars David Tennant as Caligula and Neil Dudgeon as Cassius Chaerea.

The Best of Mothers – The murderous tale of Emperor Nero and his interfering mother Agrippina. Jonathan Forbes stars as Nero, with Frances Barber as Agrippina the Younger.

The Glass Ball Game – The story of Emperor Hadrian and his relationship with Antinous, who died in mysterious circumstances. Starring Jonathan Hyde as Hadrian and Andrew Garfield as Antinous.

Citizens in a Great City– Young Commodus buckles under the expectations put upon him by his father, the philosopher/emperor Marcus Aurelius. And Septimus Severus is called on to save the Empire from anarchy. Jim Sturgess stars as Commodus, with Ronald Pickup as Marcus Aurelius and Ray Fearon as Septimus Severus.

Empress in the West– As the Roman Empire begins to fall apart, Victoria Poppea sees an opportunity to wield the power that her gender has always denied her. Stars Barbara Flynn as Victoria and Sam Troughton as Victorinus.

The Maker of All Things– Constantine and Crispus are father and son – but can this indivisible bond survive politics? Sam Dale stars as Constantine the Great, with Joseph Kloska as Crispus.

Empire Without End– With the Empire in the West under attack from Attila the Hun’s forces, an unlikely coalition of kingmakers selects the last Roman emperor. Starring Tom Hiddleston as Romulus Augustus.

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About the author

Mike Walker is an award-winning dramatist, documentary writer and author. He has adapted many classic novels for BBC Radio 4, including War and Peace, On the Beach and A Tale of Two Cities, which won him the Bronze Sony Award for Best Drama in 2012. Among his original radio plays are Alpha - winner of the Sony Drama Award (World Service); its companion play Omega; Landfall, The Product and the Plantagenet series of historical dramas. He has also written several novels, including one for young adults, Bad Company. Anton Lesser is an Associate of the RSC and has appeared in many productions at the National Theatre including Private Lives and Wild Oats. Recent television credits include Charles Dickens, Perfect Strangers and The Project. Film credits include Charlotte Gray and Imagining Argentina.

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