Power, persuasion, and public duty collide at the heart of Roman politics.

In this clear and engaging study, classicist Frank Frost Abbott guides you through the political life of ancient Rome, explaining how its government works in practice and why its institutions matter. Rather than treating politics as a list of offices and dates, the book focuses on the living mechanics of civic power: how authority is organized, how laws and customs shape outcomes, and how citizens and leaders navigate the pressures of public life.

Listeners interested in ancient Roman history and government will find a thoughtful introduction to Roman political institutions and political culture. Abbott writes with the aim of making complex structures understandable, connecting constitutional forms to the real problems they try to solve, including questions of citizenship, representation, and the balance between individual ambition and the needs of the state. If you enjoy Roman Republic history, Roman Empire politics, classical studies, or the foundations of Western political thought, this audiobook offers a steady, informative journey into the ideas and systems that helped Rome rule a vast world.

Press play and step into the forum to hear how Rome governs itself.