Moneta

Author Gareth Harney
Narrator Piers Hampton
Publisher Random House
Publish Date 9 May 2024
Run Time 12 hours and 7 minutes
Format Audio
Genre Collecting coins, banknotes, medals and other related items, European history: the Romans, History, Material culture, Social and cultural history, Society and Social Sciences.

This book is not purchasable in your country. Please select another book.

Listen to a sample

What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

The extraordinary story of ancient Rome, history's greatest superpower, as told through humankind's most universal object: the coin.

When Gareth Harney was first handed a Roman coin by his father as a child, he became entranced by its beauty, its permanence, and its unique power to connect us with the distant past. He soon learned that the Romans saw coins as far more than just money – these were metal canvases on which they immortalised their sacred gods, mighty emperors, towering monuments, and brutal battles of conquest. Revealed in those intricate designs struck in gold, silver, and bronze was the epic history of the Roman world.

Moneta traces ancient Rome’s unstoppable rise, from a few huts on an Italian hilltop to an all-conquering empire spanning three continents, through the fascinating lives of twelve remarkable coins. In these handcrafted pieces of ancient art we witness Caesar's bloody assassination, follow the legions to the edge of the known world, take a seat in the packed Colosseum, and ultimately, watch as barbarian armies mass at the gates.

Hold the glory, and the infamy, of ancient Rome in the palm of your hand.

©2024 Gareth Harney (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critics Review

Riveting … An utterly original history of Rome that compels from start to finish. A wonderful read

Mail on Sunday

In this delightful book, Harney, a historian and coin collector, tells the story of ancient Rome from founding to collapse, through the medium of its coinage. The result is fascinating, orginal and fun. The story of Rome is of course extraordinary. But the way it is told by Harney brings it to life. It is a book to enjoy, but also one from which both young and old can learn much

Financial Times, Book of the Year 2024

An excellent 1,000 year history of Rome told through 12 coins… This book is well worth a few denarii

Sunday Times, *Summer Reads of 2024*

A wonderfully evocative history of the Roman Empire

Mail on Sunday, *Summer Reads of 2024*

From Caesar’s hubris to the daily pay of a Roman soldier, this excellent history whizzes through one thousand years of history … For those who want an enjoyable potted history of 1,000 years of Rome told in an engaging new way, Harney’s book is well worth a few denarii

The Times

[Harney] deploys the coins skilfully to underpin and illustrate his history … an effective and appropriate strategy because Roman coins really are exceptional in the range of their design … a rich resource for talking about Roman power

Times Literary Supplement

Fantastic. Moneta is a brilliant combination of history and expert storytelling – if anyone reads the first five pages, they’ll be up all night with it

CONN IGGULDEN, bestselling author of the Emperor series

Gareth Harvey’s Moneta offers an original and ingenious means of recounting the rise and fall of Rome’s empire, though twelve coins. The result is both exciting and enjoyable, filled with fascinating and illuminating details

MATTHEW KNEALE, author of Rome

A novel and highly readable approach to Roman history. The author’s enthusiasm shines through on every page

PHILIP MATYSZAK, author of A History of Ancient Rome in 100 Lives

Extremely enjoyable. A brilliant combination of entertaining and educational Roman history that makes numismatics vivid and exciting

EMMA SOUTHON, author of A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women

More from the same

Narrator

About xigxag

Enjoy the best audiobooks on xigxag, an innovative, user-friendly audiobook platform that makes it easy to find, purchase, and enjoy your favorite books in audio format. xigxag’s flexible pricing model offers bestselling audiobooks for less – affordable prices and the best audiobook deals with no subscription required. Give the perfect gift with our audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.

xigxag’s commitment to sustainability and ethical practices ensures a guilt-free listening experience from an exceptional digital book platform – an exciting alternative to big tech. Enjoy audiobooks from the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service and a leader in audiobook innovation.

Search effortlessly, read honest audiobook reviews evaluating both the book and the narration, and discover hidden gems. Download or stream top audiobook titles anytime, anywhere and get the best possible listening experience on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Experience the future of audiobooks today.